Brian Snitker’s Comments on Eddie Rosario Highlight the Harsh Realities of MLB
Eddie Rosario’s return to the Atlanta Braves didn’t unfold as expected, and Braves manager Brian Snitker was straightforward in explaining why.
Having been in the game for a long time, Snitker is no stranger to informing players when they’re not performing well enough to stay on the major-league roster. Although Braves fans will always cherish their memories of Rosario, this 2021 reunion hasn’t gone as smoothly, with Atlanta struggling to stay in the playoff race.
As of Sunday, the Braves were barely holding onto a half-game lead over the New York Mets, with their position in the NL East standings fluctuating throughout the week. Injuries to key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider have taken a toll on the Braves’ outfield and rotation. This is where Rosario, who was recently claimed from the Washington Nationals, fits in.
Although Rosario showed some promise in his initial games back in Atlanta, his overall performance was disappointing. He posted a slash line of just .154/.181/.282 with a .463 OPS. When asked about the decision to designate Rosario for assignment, Snitker was candid.
“It was mainly a left-right situation. We plan to add another left-handed bat once Michael returns,” Snitker explained.
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Brian Snitker’s Justification for Sending Eddie Rosario to Gwinnett
Snitker was referring to Michael Harris II in his comments. Rosario’s performance against left-handed pitchers isn’t much different from his numbers against righties, but the issue is that he’s struggling across the board, hitting below the Mendoza line.
It’s uncertain whether Rosario will accept his assignment to Gwinnett. If he chooses not to, he might be released altogether. However, considering his challenging stints in Washington and Atlanta this season, some time in Triple-A could be beneficial for him to work on his swing. With his significant MLB experience, Rosario has the option to reject the assignment.
Eli White has replaced Rosario on the active roster. However, Atlanta’s outfield took another hit over the weekend when Ramon Laureano left a game early due to heel pain. It’s unclear if Laureano will need to go on the injured list, which could potentially create another opportunity for Rosario.
All of this highlights the Braves’ struggles in the outfield. While they acquired Jorge Soler at the trade deadline, some may argue that Alex Anthopoulos should have made more moves to address the gaps left by Acuña Jr. and Harris II’s injuries.
