Braves done with Orlando Arcia in surprise roster move

The Braves showed no mercy on struggling shortstop Orlando Arcia.

After reinstating Ronald Acuna Jr. from the injured list on Friday, the Braves designated Arcia for assignment to make room for the star outfielder.

Arcia, 30, has been ice cold to start the 2025 season, batting just .194 with a .445 OPS through 14 games.

He was benched by the Braves at the end of April in favor of the defensive-minded Nick Allen.

The shortstop was traded to Atlanta midway through the 2021 season when he first served as a utility player for the Braves.

Arcia’s best season came in 2023 when he took over as the starting shortstop after two-time All-Star Dansby Swanson left for the Cubs in free agency.

During that year, Arcia posted a .264 average with 25 doubles in 139 games, earning himself his first and only All-Star appearance.

Arcia failed to replicate that success the following season, experiencing a sizable dip in batting average, along with a career-high 128 strikeouts.

Allen, 26, is also struggling at the plate, slugging just .289 and failing to hit a home run through 42 games.

Allen appears to be a stopgap for the Braves until they find someone to fill that role permanently.

MLB Network analyst Dan O’Dowd suggested Atlanta should try to acquire Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette.

“I think the Braves need a bat. But I think they need that kind of bat,” O’Dowd said Thursday. “High contact, low strikeouts, use the entire field. They have been getting very little offense from shortstop for a number of years.”

“It’s a trade for me that the Braves really need to plug that position in their lineup with an offensive shortstop.”

However, O’Dowd did question if the Blue Jays would be willing to give up Bichette.

“I think the Blue Jays are too all-in on this season to make that trade, which in their fans’ minds and in Vlad Jr.’s mind might be a rebuilding trade,” O’Dowd said. “But they haven’t signed him to a contract extension.”

The Braves are a disappointing 24-25, sitting 7 1/2 games behind the first-place Phillies in the NL East.