Orlando Arcia continues to provide underrated production at the bottom of the Braves lineup and remains a quality fill-in at a position (shortstop) that's scarce on the waiver wire. That's especially true in a week when the Braves have the second-best hitter matchups, facing the Athletics for three games at the start.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Pops homer Wednesday
Rotowire
Arcia went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.
The homer was Arcia's second in the last three games, and he's hit safely in five straight contests, going 7-for-17 (.412) with five extra-base hits in that span. The infielder is up to a .342/.405/.592 slash line with four homers, 12 RBI, 15 runs scored and no stolen bases through 84 plate appearances. He's enjoyed steady playing time as the starting shortstop since returning from a wrist injury earlier in the month.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Reaches four times in rout
Rotowire
Arcia went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double, two walks, three total runs and two total RBI in Monday's 12-0 win over the Rangers.
Arcia's perfect game at the plate included a two-run homer and a double that came before Ronald Acuna's two-run shot. Before Monday, Arcia hadn't gone deep since April 6 against San Diego, though he missed nearly a month soon thereafter with a wrist injury. The shortstop is slashing a robust .333/.395/.551 with three homers, 10 RBI and 14 runs through 20 games on the season.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Possible waiver wire pickups
Rotowire
As much as we longed to see Vaughn Grissom back in the majors, it turns out he was a step down from the guy he replaced, Orlando Arcia. Well, Arcia is back now, with Grissom being returned to the minors, and so far, it's gone about like it did before he fractured his wrist. He went 3 for 4 with a double Tuesday, making him 4 for 8 with two doubles in two games since returning and raising his batting average to .358. The track record is uninspiring, but he's hitting the ball harder than ever at age 28, is an everyday part of one of the most potent lineups, and would seem to have all the more job security now. If you're hurting for middle infield help, Arcia is your guy.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Three hits in Tuesday's win
Rotowire
Arcia went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Red Sox.
The veteran shortstop has gone a remarkable 4-for-8 with two doubles in two games since returning from a nearly four-week absence due to a wrist injury, despite the fact he didn't go on a rehab assignment to shake off the rust. Arcia's .358/.414/.547 slash line through 58 plate appearances isn't a sustainable pace and is bolstered by a .436 BABIP, but the 28-year-old could take a big step back and still put together a career-best campaign at the plate.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Raps out double in return
Rotowire
Arcia went 1-for-4 with a double in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Orioles.
Getting the start at shortstop and batting eighth in his return from a wrist injury, Arcia led off the fifth inning with a two-bagger, driving the ball the other way into the right-center gap. The 28-year-old also was his usual excellent self on defense and showed no real rust despite the fact that he didn't go out on a rehab assignment and hadn't seen game action since April 12. Arcia was having a fantastic beginning to the season before getting hurt, and he sports a .327/.389/.510 slash line with two homers, seven RBI and 10 runs in 14 contests.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Makes early return from IL
Rotowire
Atlanta reinstated Arcia (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Sunday. He'll start at shortstop and bat eighth in Atlanta's series finale with Baltimore.
Since he's been sidelined since April 12 with a microfracture in his left wrist, Arcia was expected to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to returning from the IL, but Atlanta was comfortable enough with how the infielder checked out during workouts the last two days to expedite his activation. Atlanta sent Vaughn Grissom to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding transaction, clearing the way for Arcia to step back in as the team's everyday shortstop. Prior to injuring his wrist, Arcia had slashed .333/.400/.511 with two home runs, 10 runs and seven RBI over 50 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Begins taking dry swings
Rotowire
Arcia (wrist) began taking dry swings Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
It's a significant step forward for Arcia, who had been limited to throwing and running over the last few weeks but is now getting into a fuller range of baseball activities. There is still no exact timetable on his return from a microfracture in his left wrist, an injury he suffered April 12, but the middle of May seems like a reasonable target as things stand with his ongoing rehab.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Eyeing return for homestand
Rotowire
Arcia (wrist) said Tuesday that he's hopeful to return from the 10-day injured list when Atlanta begins its next homestand May 5, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Arcia noted that it's not his decision whether he returns for the homestand, though more clarity on his next steps could arrive when he's re-evaluated later Tuesday. Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes that Arcia recently transitioned out of a cast on his fractured left wrist and is now sporting a black splint, but the infielder still hasn't been cleared to do any baseball activities. Until Arcia is able to do some hitting and fielding work, Atlanta is unlikely to confirm whether the 28-year-old is in fact on pace to return for the upcoming homestand.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Takes part in conditioning work
Rotowire
Arcia (wrist) was spotted Tuesday doing some jogging in the outfield at Truist Park, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Arcia looks like he's continuing to do conditioning work while he's on the shelf with a microfracture of his left wrist, but until the 28-year-old is participating in fielding drills and taking batting practice, his return from the 10-day injured list shouldn't be viewed as imminent. Toscano notes that Arcia was still sporting a splint on his left wrist, so the infielder looks as though he still may be several days away from resuming full baseball activities. Vaughn Grissom should continue to serve as Atlanta's everyday shortstop while Arcia is on the mend.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: To be re-evaluated in 10-14 days
Rotowire
Arcia (wrist) will be re-evaluated in 10-14 days, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
There's no firm timeline for his return, but Atlanta will assess his progress in a couple weeks. Bowman notes that Nick Castellanos spent 16 days on the injured list with a similar microfracture in 2021, but his injury was to his top hand (on the bat), while Arcia's injury is to his lower hand. Vaughn Grissom is starting at shortstop and hitting seventh Friday against the Royals.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Headed for injured list
Rotowire
Arcia underwent an MRI and CT scan Thursday which revealed a microfracture in his left wrist. As a result, he will be placed on the IL.
The team did not provide a timetable on how long Arcia is expected to be sidelined. While Arcia recovers, Atlanta will most likely recall Vaughn Grissom from Triple-A to serve as the team's primary shortstop.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Doesn't expect IL stint
Rotowire
Arcia said he doesn't expect to be placed on the injured list after taking a pitch to the wrist Wednesday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
X-rays on Arcia's left wrist came back negative, but manager Brian Snitker said the team will keep checking in on him over the next few days. Atlanta has an off day Thursday, so if Arcia is feeling better by Friday, perhaps he could still play against the Royals.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: X-rays come back negative
Rotowire
X-rays on Arcia's left wrist came back negative for a fracture.
It appears that Atlanta has managed to avoid the worst, though it's still possible Arcia is forced to miss time after taking a pitch to the wrist. If he does have to sit out a few games, Ehire Adrianza figures to get a few more starts at shortstop.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Exits with injury
Rotowire
Arcia was removed from Wednesday's game against the Reds after taking a pitch to the wrist, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
After getting hit on the wrist by a 98-mph fastball, Arcia initially stayed in the game to run the bases, but he was eventually replaced by Ehire Adrianza in the third inning. The team will take a look at Arcia's wrist and will likely provide an update relatively soon.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Possible waiver wire pickups
Rotowire
All the injuries at the shortstop position have basically forced us to take a glass-half-full view with Orlando Arcia, who himself is already rostered in more than 50 percent of CBS Sports leagues. Indeed, his track record is uninspiring, and it seemed like his claim to the shortstop job this spring was more of a procedural move. But he is a former top prospect who arrived too early at age 21 and then fell out of favor just as he was entering his prime. For the Braves' Triple-A affiliate in 2021, having already been cast aside by the Brewers, Arcia homered 17 times in just 74 games. He's off to a nice start, and the Statcast indicators have been as promising as the actual production. Fingers crossed!
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: On base three times Sunday
Rotowire
Arcia went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Padres.
The shortstop was the only Atlanta player to cross the plate in a 10-2 defeat. Arcia's had an outstanding start to the season, batting .316 (12-for-38) through 10 games with two homers, four RBI and nine runs despite hitting at the bottom of the order.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Homers again Thursday
Rotowire
Arcia went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, a walk, two total runs and two total RBI in a 7-6 win against the Padres on Thursday.
Arcia produced Atlanta's second run with a solo shot off Blake Snell in the third inning, and he capped the contest with a walkoff single in the ninth. The shortstop has gone deep in two of his past three games, and he's hit safely in six of his seven contests so far this season. Arcia has never hit more than 15 homers in a big-league campaign, though he did post a career-best .172 ISO and 7.5 percent barrel rate last year. His earning of Atlanta's starting shortstop job out of spring training was a bit of a surprise, but Arcia has justified the decision thus far, slashing .370/.414/.667 with two homers, four RBI and seven runs through seven games.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Pops first homer of 2023
Rotowire
Arcia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Cardinals.
He took Steven Matz deep in the second inning, giving Arcia his first homer of the season. The veteran shortstop has made Atlanta look good for naming him the starter over prospects Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake, playing impressive defense while batting .316 (6-for-19) with five runs scored through the first five games of the year.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Orlando Arcia: Agrees to three-year extension
Rotowire
Arcia has agreed to a three-year, $7.3 million contract extension with a club option for 2026 with Atlanta, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Arcia was named Atlanta's starting shortstop last week and now has a new deal. He had been under contract for $1.3 million in 2023 with a $2 million club option for 2024, but this extension wipe those years out and adds on potentially two more. Arcia might ultimately just be keeping the shortstop seat warm for Vaughn Grissom or Braden Shewmake, but he has the versatility to bounce around.
