The Atlanta Braves need help in the outfield and they are leaving no stone unturned. With former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined until later this month and free agent Jurickson Profar serving an 80-game suspension for a banned substance, the Braves have tried everything from the signing of Alex Verdugo to Eli White’s emergence as an everyday player.
But the Braves haven’t batted 1.000 on their outfield moves and admitted that the decision to bring in a returning veteran was a bust on Friday afternoon.
Braves Release Former World Series Champion Eddie Rosario
The Braves announced on Friday that they have designated outfielder Eddie Rosario for assignment. Rosario had just four at-bats in his second stint with Atlanta after signing him this month, but went 1-for-4 with a single before the team decided to call up Luke Williams from Triple-A Gwinnett.
The #Braves today selected INF Luke Williams to the major league roster and designated OF Eddie Rosario for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 9, 2025
It’s a disappointing ending for Rosario, who became a fan favorite during his first stint with the Braves. The 33-year-old initially arrived in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians at the 2021 trade deadline and went on to hit .383/.456/.617 with three homers and 11 RBI while winning National League Championship Series honors on the way to winning the World Series later that year.
Rosario signed a two-year contract with the Braves the following year, but Atlanta didn’t get a return on that investment, hitting .221/.267/.379 with 36 home runs and 133 RBI over the past four seasons. Rosario also spent time with the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers during that time, but appears to be on the back nine of his career posting a -2.3 in wins above replacement.
The Braves will move on with White and Verdugo in the corner spots for now, with Michael Harris III in the outfield. Atlanta will have to move things around when Acuña returns from injury but there didn’t appear to be a spot for Rosario in those plans, putting him back on the job search for the second time this season.