Braves bring back Rosario on 2-year, $18M contract

The Atlanta Braves are reuniting with Eddie Rosario, signing the free-agent outfielder to a two-year, $18-million contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Rosario's deal includes a club option for the 2024 season.

The veteran joins a Braves outfield mix that currently includes Marcell Ozuna, Adam Duvall, Guillermo Heredia, and Drew Waters. Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is also expected to return at some point in the summer after tearing the ACL in his right knee last season.

The Braves acquired Rosario from the then-Cleveland Indians for Pablo Sandoval last July. The 30-year-old hit .271/.330/.573 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs in 33 regular-season games for Atlanta.

Rosario shined for the Braves in the playoffs, winning NLCS MVP honors after hitting .560/.607/1.040 with three homers, 14 hits, and nine RBIs for the eventual World Series winners.

He spent his entire career with the Minnesota Twins before last season, slashing .277/.310/.478 with 119 homers and 388 RBIs in 697 games.

Rosario's signing comes after Atlanta acquired first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics on Monday. The Braves signed Olson to an eight-year, $168-million extension Tuesday.