MLB Rumors: Gio Urshela, Braves Agree to Contract After Austin Riley's Injury

After losing Austin Riley potentially for the remainder of the regular season, the Atlanta Braves agreed to a deal with free agent Gio Urshela, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post and MLB Network previously reported Urshela was "closing in" on signing a major league deal with Atlanta.

The Braves announced on Monday that Riley would miss six to eight weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured hand. He left Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning after being hit with a pitch on his right hand by Jack Kochanowicz.

There are just under six weeks remaining in the regular season, so Riley would have to be on the low end of his recovery timeline to make it back.

The Braves have been decimated by injuries this season. Spencer Strider, who finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting last year, made just two starts before undergoing the internal brace surgery to repair his UCL on April 12.

Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. tore the ACL in his left knee when his leg buckled taking a secondary lead in a May 26 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He previously tore the ACL in his right knee during the 2021 season.

Ozzie Albies hasn't played since July 21 due to a fractured left wrist. Michael Harris II returned to the lineup last week after missing two months due to a hamstring injury. Max Fried and Reynaldo López have spent time on the IL.

Despite all of their injury woes, the Braves (66-58) are 1.5 games ahead of the New York Mets for the final wild-card spot in the NL.

Urshela will likely slot in as Atlanta's starting third baseman as soon as he is ready. The 32-year-old was designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 16. He was released two days later after clearing waivers.

Urshela hit .243/.286/.333 with five homers and 37 RBI in 325 plate appearances for the Tigers this season. He has a .273/.318/.412 slash line with 69 home runs and 317 RBI in nine MLB seasons with six different teams.