Travis

Demeritte

Demeritte got off to a fast start with the Braves, but went into an extended offensive tailspin, and was eventually replaced in late May by rookie sensation Michael Harris II, who took over a starting outfield spot and never looked back. The 28-year-old outfielder has hit just .216/.277/.328 with six home runs and three stolen bases across 315 plate appearances over 92 games in the majors since 2019.

Demeritte had been designated for assignment earlier in the week, but wound up passing through waivers unclaimed. He’ll continue to function as extra outfield depth for the Braves at Triple-A. Demeritte slashed just .213/.260/.337 with three homers in 96 plate appearances with the big league club.

Demeritte hit just .213/.260/.337 with three homers in 96 plate appearances over 26 games this season for the Braves earlier this season before being shipped back to the minors back in late May to make room for top prospect Michael Harris II to ascend to the majors. The 27-year-old outfielder should generate some interest on waivers.

Demeritte has been mired in an extended slump at the dish for the last two weeks, hitting .029 (1-for-34) over his last nine games since May 15. The 27-year-old outfielder has been jettisoned to the minors to make room for top prospect Michael Harris II to make his big-league debut Saturday afternoon against the division-rival Marlins.

Demeritte is 0-for-21 with a 10/0 K/BB in those five games, leaving him at .237/.289/.382 overall. The Braves might start giving more of his at-bats to Orlando Arcia and Guillermo Heredia.

An MRI cleared Acuña Jr. of any structural damage in his left groin, but he’ll miss a fifth straight start. A potential injured list stint could only be backdated three days, for what it’s worth, although it’s uncertain whether the Braves might be considering such a move. Travis Demeritte is in right field, Marcell Ozuna is in left and Orlando Arcia is in the designated hitter spot Monday.

Demeritte was scratched from the Braves’ starting lineup for Wednesday’s matinee game against the Mets, but that decision mostly had to do with him playing all 18 innings of Tuesday’s doubleheader.

It’s not exactly clear what’s ailing Demeritte, but he was spotted leaving the Braves’ clubhouse with a trainer on Wednesday morning. Guillermo Heredia is now playing right field and batting ninth in Wednesday’s matinee game versus the Mets and right-hander Tylor Megill.

Acuña had a hit and stole two bases in his return to action Thursday, but the Braves will rest him Friday as he’s eased back into things. Travis Demeritte will be in right field and in the leadoff spot.

With one-out in the bottom of the fifth, Demeritte destroyed a first-pitch cutter from Marcus Stroman, breaking up the tie game. The long-time minor leaguer could provide the Braves with some useful outfield depth for the time being.