The Braves announced that they’ve designated outfielder Lane Adams for assignment. His spot on the 25-man roster will go to right-hander Matt Wisler, who has been recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett and will start tonight’s game in place of the injured Anibal Sanchez.
Adams, 28, has been a quality reserve outfielder in Atlanta since having his contract selected last season. Originally signed to a minor league deal in the 2016-17 offseason, Adams worked his way onto the big league roster and has since batted .270/.345/.460 in a total of 143 plate appearances. He’s also been a somewhat seldom-used piece, though, having started in just 14 of the 100 games he’s appeared as a Brave. More often than not, Adams has been utilized as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner or late-game defensive replacement.
The Braves will have a week to either trade Adams or try to sneak him through outright waivers, though because he’s been outrighted previously in his career (by the Yankees in 2016), he’d have the right to reject the assignment in favor of free agency anyhow. With Adams off the roster, the Braves will utilize an outfield mix of Preston Tucker, Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis and Peter Bourjos for the time being, though obviously the potential promotion of top prospect Ronald Acuna is looming on the horizon.