The Braves have claimed outfielder Dalton Guthrie off waivers from the Giants, per announcements from both clubs. Guthrie has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, the Braves placed right-hander Nick Anderson on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain. San Francisco designated Guthrie for assignment last week.
Guthrie, 27, was only just acquired from the Phillies three weeks ago but quickly lost his roster spot when the Giants added Mauricio Llovera to the roster. Guthrie made his major league debut with the Phils last year and hit .333/.500/.476 in 28 plate appearances. But in 28 more trips to the plate this year, he hit just .167/.286/.208. He’s generally hit well at the Triple-A level, slashing .296/.363/.467 between last season and this one for a wRC+ of 117.
He’s also shown some flashes of speed, including swiping 21 bags in Triple-A last year, though he was caught six times. He’s capable of playing all three outfield spots and has also lined up at the three infield positions to the left of first base. He still has a full slate of options, one of which he’s currently using here in 2023, and can potentially serve as a versatile depth piece for Atlanta for the foreseeable future.
Anderson, 33, has occasionally looked like an elite reliever but has frequently been waylaid by injuries. He posted a 3.32 ERA between the Marlins and Rays in 2019 and then dropped that all the way to 0.55 in 2020, striking out 44.8% of batters faced in the shortened season.
He would hardly pitch in the next two years, however. He was diagnosed with a partial tear of his UCL during Spring Training in 2021 and didn’t initially go under the knife. He tossed six innings that year but eventually underwent an internal brace procedure in October, which wiped out his 2022.
He was non-tendered by Tampa last year and landed with Atlanta. He has been having a nice bounceback season up until this point, making 35 appearances with a 3.06 ERA, striking out 25.5% of opponents while walking 6.4% and getting grounders on 41.7% of balls in play. He moved into a leverage role with Atlanta, earning 15 holds this year. However, the fact that he’s been immediately placed on the 60-day IL suggests that his shoulder strain is fairly significant. Anderson will now be ineligible to return until early September.
Braves have 5 OFs on the roster already(not named Acuna or Harris). Rosario, Pillar, Hillarrd, Ozuna, and White.
White’s in the minors and Ozuna is technically the DH.
Also, the Braves have the best record in the game and generally tend to be quite astute in roster construction, so there’s that.
Yes but this guy can play all 3 outfield and the infield. He has speed too. Currently; the Braves don’t have a lot of unity type playing depth. Culberson is only infielder on roster at major league.
It is a good depth signing could also show that Atlanta may be going trade either Vaugh Grissom or Brenden Shoemake for pieces.
People always question Braves general manger but he knows what he is doing.
Hilliard has essentially become a pinch runner/defensive replacement, and Ozuna, an outfielder, ha! They probably like that he has time as an infielder considering they haven’t had a backup almost all year besides Culbertson who is arguably there for moral support.lol. If someone went down during a game you need versatility. He could do what Hilliard’s doing with more flexibility
I think white is injured in the minors right now. Perfectly fine depth move here. Prob a first to be cut
White could be out for the year with a shoulder injury so he’s another 60 day IL candidate when needed, in addition to Ian Anderson, when they need a 40 man spot
Waiver claim/minor league depth. Hurts absolutely nothing
That name reminds me of Jeremy Guthrie. I feel old.
Arlo Guthrie for me
Woody Guthrie for me.
Janet Guthrie
Mark Guthrie
Took-Took Guthrie for me (the caveman)
The bigger news is losing Anderson
Yeah, sorry to hear about Nick. The Braves need at least one more good pen arm.
Jimenez has been trending up as he gets farther and farther away from off-season back surgery. Also looks like Kirby Yates isn’t as useless we thought he was.
Why do we pick up someone like this I would rather have one of our draft picks on the 40 man roster don’t make sense
Ronnie 6465 this make sense he can play both outfield and infield. Has speed there is no risk but the reward is high. Culberson our only back up infielder and with the hot summer coming and atlanta has a big lead going need to keep our guys fresh.
Btw makes no sense put a draft pick on 40 man as you don’t know what you have they haven’t played pro ball yet and you’re filling up a spot on the roster for nothing.
I would almost bet that this guy hits good in triple a then he will be called up and Culberson gone. Also allows Braves to if they want trade sam Hillard as Hillard mostly a pitch runner.
No one goes straight from the draft to the 40 man roster, it would be silly because they wouldn’t be calling them up soon and the spot could go to someone who is close to rule V eligible
Bob Horner did!
True, but it’s few and far between. Crochet and Mike Leake are the only recent examples I can remember.
Nah. Adding a recently drafted player with no professional experience to the 40 man doesn’t make sense.
I’m guessing AA sees something here with Guthrie. Fried and Chavez should be back soon. I imagine AA wouldn’t mind a trade deadline addition or 2 if need be.
Bruh, Phillies could have used him back.
Good pick up .. got depth and he will help Gwinnett !
If he ever does make it back to MLB, maybe he can be better than he previously was. Anyone else notice what Pache is doing?
Small sample of 49 AB’s but you cannot discount the influence of a Major League coaching staff. Kevin Long is one the highest regarded hitting coaches in Baseball, miles above what he had in Oakland
When Pache was first activated, he looked as BAD as advertised, but suddenly the flip seemed to switch, and he looked like a completely different player. He went from unplayably bad to being one of our 3 best OF. It’s crazy.
I’m happy Pache is finally playing up to his potential, even if it’s with the Phillies
Anyone notice what Mickey Moniak doing???
Braves now need R and L bullpen arms at the deadline with the questions around Minter.