The Braves announced Friday that they’ve selected the contract of veteran utilityman Charlie Culberson from Triple-A Gwinnett and transferred infielder Ehire Adrianza to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Culberson will take the 26-man roster spot of prospect Braden Shewmake, who was optioned to Gwinnett after last night’s game. Adrianza had been on a rehab assignment after landing on the injured list due to elbow inflammation, but he’s now dealing with a left shoulder strain.
Culberson, 34, has struggled in Gwinnett this season, slashing just .204/.234/.255 in 107 trips to the plate. He has a lengthy track record of better output than that in the Majors, however, and is a known commodity for a Braves organization that rostered him from 2018-20. Culberson suited up for 230 games with the Braves and hit .265/.314/.454 in 473 plate appearances, including a career-best year in 2018 that saw him reach career-highs in both home runs (12) and doubles (18).
Over the past few seasons, Culberson’s production has dropped off. He’s posted a .244/.289/.371 batting line in 402 trips to the plate dating back to 2020, mostly spending time with the Rangers during that stretch. The Braves will hope that a return to his native Georgia can also bring about a return to top form.
Culberson has appeared at every position on the diamond other than catcher and center field in his decade-long career, including 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball in mop-up duty (albeit with just one strikeout). Third base has been his primary position in the Majors, but he has more than 400 innings at second base, at shortstop and in left field as well. Culberson has generally struggled against right-handed pitching (.217/.277/.348), but he’s a .285/.313/.431 hitter against lefties in his career.
Adrianza, 33, appeared in just five games with the Braves before landing on the injured list. He went hitless in 11 plate appearances during that time. The versatile switch-hitter is a career .238/.308/.352 batter in 1550 plate appearances between the Twins, Giants, Braves and Nationals. It’s not immediately clear when he’ll be expected to return. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
