The Braves announced that outfielder Eli White has been released. The move creates a 40-man roster spot for right-hander Allan Winans, whose contract was officially selected two days after reports surfaced that the Braves were planning to start Winans in today’s game with the Brewers. In another corresponding move, Atlanta optioned right-hander Seth Elledge to Triple-A Gwinnett.
The 29-year-old White joined the Braves via a trade from the Rangers back in December, and he appeared in six games for Atlanta back in April. White was basically used as outfield depth when Michael Harris II was on the injured list, and White’s demotion to Triple-A corresponded with Harris’ return to the active roster. Over 201 plate appearances in Gwinnett, White has a solid .254/.363/.450 slash line with nine homers and 14 stolen bases (in 15 chances).
Unfortunately, his season came to an impromptu end on July 6, as Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that White suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. A specific recovery timeline isn’t known, but in a best-case scenario, White will be ready for Spring Training, though his rehab is likely going to impact his ability to catch on with a new team on a minor league deal. The labrum tear continues White’s terrible run of injury luck, as this marks his third consecutive season-ending surgery, following an elbow procedure in 2021 and a wrist surgery in 2022.
A veteran of four MLB seasons, White was an 11th-round pick for the A’s in the 2016 draft who was dealt to the Rangers as part of the three-team deal that sent Jurickson Profar to Oakland and Emilio Pagan to the Rays. White’s strong defense and baserunning made him a useful part-timer over 130 games with Texas from 2020-22, but he has hit only .181/.259/.288 over 406 PA in the majors.
Hemlock
> suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder
Ouch, that is an annoying injury. Good luck sleeping.
I would’ve liked to have seen what he could do with regular time for the Braves but the opportunity never happened.
I hope he makes a full recovery.
Benjamin101677
Hopefully if he can he goes to like the athletics next year and gets 300-400 at bats and shows what we can do. Be a win win gamble for both him and Oakland if he hits good could be traded.
luca brasi
I have always been under the impression that injured players could not be released. Is that not correct?
NashvilleJeff
@luca: They can be released but not waived.
Benjamin101677
He gets his full salary when released whatever amount that is.
Braves83
I hope he goes unclaimed and the Braves can keep him. I think he would be incredible on the bench ion Atlanta next year.
Best of luck to him.
NashvilleJeff
They didn’t waive him 83 because injured players can’t be waived. They released him. He’s free to negotiate w/any club. Maybe the Braves bring him back on a mil deal next spring.
Benjamin101677
Atlanta probably won’t want him as they have depth. He also would be better going to a team that would actually play him. Braves set the line up and hardly ever give the bench starts. He needs to if possible go to a horrible team that will give him lots of playing time so everyone can see how he is after 200-300 at bats
DCartrow
So Laura Nyro was wrong……Eli ain’t coming?
Gwynning
It’s Gonna Take a Miracle for anyone to get that reference!
SalaryCapMyth
Man, that really is an obscure reference. Eli and the thirteenth confession. Pretty old singer-song writer.
DCartrow
Pretty old and very underrated singer/songwriter
Sadly came to an untimely stoney end.
SalaryCapMyth
Stoney? She died of ovarian cancer.
DCartrow
Barbara Streisand’s ‘Stoney End” was also written by Nyro.
SalaryCapMyth
LOL! Understood. Sorry. You got all the obscure references about Laura Nyro I know of.