Whit Merrifield Day-to-Day with Finger Injury After Signing Braves Contract

Atlanta Braves utilityman Whit Merrifield is considered day-to-day after suffering a finger injury before Monday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, according to Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Per David O'Brien of The Athletic, Merrifield took a ball off his finger and was subsequently evaluated:

The injury comes on the same day Merrifield signed a contract with the Braves as the team looks for a replacement for second baseman Ozzie Albies, who is expected to miss eight weeks with a wrist fracture. Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported the deal.

Albies was injured during Sunday's game against the Cardinals when he collided with St. Louis outfielder Michael Siani. An eight-week window would put Albies in danger of missing the rest of the regular season if he heals slower than expected.

A three-time All-Star, Albies was hitting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs and 46 runs batted in this season. It's been a markedly down campaign compared to Albies' brilliant 2023, which saw him perform as one of the best second basemen in the sport.

Merrifield was waived by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 12 amid a miserable first half. The three-time All-Star was hitting .199/.277/.295 with three home runs and 11 runs batted in at the time of his release.

An All-Star as recently as 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays, Merrifield could still have some solid baseball left in the tank. He is, at the very least, a versatile player who can move around the infield or outfield depending on what the Braves need.

It's likely Merrifield, when healthy, will get the first shot at replacing Albies as Atlanta's everyday second baseman. He played 14 games at second base for the Phillies this season, along with 12 at third and 25 in the outfield. The 2021 season was the last time Merrifield served as an everyday second baseman.

The Braves are also dealing with an injury to ace Max Fried, who was placed on the injured list Sunday.