Braves release veteran shortstop Jorge Mateo amid infield reshuffle
The Atlanta Braves cut 26-year-old infielder Jorge Mateo after a series of shortstop moves involving Ha-Seong Kim and rookie Jim Jarvis.
The Braves invested $20 million in Ha-Seong Kim to serve as their everyday shortstop, yet a finger injury kept him out of the lineup for most of the season. Jim Jarvis was promoted from Triple-A and quickly established himself as the preferred option at the position. When Kim was cleared to return, the team faced a surplus of shortstops, prompting the designation of Jorge Mateo for assignment.
Mateo, who had posted a.240/.285/.380 line with four homers and ten steals in 137 plate appearances, was released on Sunday. Meanwhile, Mauricio Dubon is expected to continue in a versatile utility role, and Kim provides depth despite limited recent production.
Why it matters
The move trims the Braves' roster and signals which infield players will shape the team's future.
In this story