With Arcia on IL, Grissom getting his shot at SS
ATLANTA -- Vaughn Grissom will get his chance to prove how valuable he can be as Atlanta’s shortstop.
The Braves announced Orlando Arcia, who suffered a microfracture of his left wrist, was placed on the 10-day injured list. Grissom was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday before Atlanta's three-game series in Kansas City.
Arcia was hit on the left wrist by Hunter Greene’s 98 mph fastball on Wednesday night. X-rays were negative, but an MRI exam and CT scan performed on the veteran shortstop’s wrist on Thursday revealed the fracture.
This was an unfortunate development for the Braves and Arcia, who won the shortstop job during Spring Training and then hit .333 with two homers and a .911 OPS over 50 plate appearances this year. He was also playing well defensively, showing he could handle the everyday shortstop role he held with the Brewers from 2017-20.
Grissom, Arcia and No. 6 prospect Braden Shewmake battled for the starting shortstop job during Spring Training.
Grissom was disappointed to not win the job, but he reacted impressively by hitting .366 with a 1.044 OPS through 48 plate appearances for Gwinnett. He showed his offensive potential when he served as Atlanta’s second baseman during most of last season’s final two months. He will now attempt to prove he has the range necessary to provide defensive value as an everyday shortstop.