WASHINGTON -- Orlando Arcia won the starting shortstop job during Spring Training, and he will enter this season with the comfort of a contract extension.

Arcia and the Braves have agreed to a three-year, $7.3 million contract that includes a $2 million club option and a $1 million buyout for the 2026 season. The 28-year-old infielder received this news on Wednesday night, as he prepared to serve as Atlanta’s Opening Day shortstop at Nationals Park on Thursday afternoon, and the team made it official the morning of the game.

The Braves will pay $6.3 million, an average of $2.1 million, per season, through the guaranteed three years of the deal. Arcia could end up with a four-year, $8.3 million deal if the fourth season option is exercised.

Arcia was given the shortstop job after the Braves evaluated Braden Shewmake and Vaughn Grissom as possible replacements for Dansby Swanson during Spring Training. Swanson signed with the Cubs in December, after easily leading all MLB shortstops with 21 Outs Above Average last year.

Shewmake’s emergence during Spring Training created reason to think he could eventually become Atlanta’s starting shortstop, possibly as early as this season. This would still seemingly be mutually viewed as a good contract if Arcia were to eventually return to a backup role.