Braves sign Urshela with Riley sidelined
The Atlanta Braves signed veteran infielder Gio Urshela to a major-league contract, the team announced Tuesday.
The Detroit Tigers released Urshela on Sunday after he slashed .243/.286/.333 in 92 games.
The veteran of nine big-league seasons joins the seventh organization of his career. His best years came with the New York Yankees between 2019-21.
Urshela's addition comes one day after Braves third baseman Austin Riley was diagnosed with a right hand fracture. He's expected to miss approximately six-to-eight weeks and was placed on the injured list by Atlanta on Tuesday.
The Braves also intend to have Yuli Gurriel play some third base at Triple-A, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman. Gurriel hasn't played in the majors this season but is slashing .300/.380/.498 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs for Triple-A Gwinnett.
Atlanta is clinging onto the National League's final wild-card spot despite the absences of Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Spencer Strider, and A.J. Minter.
Minter was transferred to the 60-day IL on Tuesday to make room for Urshela on the 40-man roster.