The Atlanta Braves beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the season's final series ahead of the MLB All-Star break. It was a much-needed reset for a roster that simply can't catch a break when it comes to underachieving players and endless injuries. The latest injury is to third baseman Austin Riley, who will miss an unknown amount of time.
While losing the veteran's bat is an unquestionable blow in a miserable season, it did provide a chance for Nacho Alvarez to finally make his big league return. After struggling in his 2024 debut, the prospect has wasted zero time setting a new tone.
Not only did Alvarez set up the winning run, but the infielder was also solid defensively. Going 2/4 in his 2025 debut, the infielder served as a reminder of what his potential could be for the franchise moving forward. Last year's underwhelming start dampened what was an exciting career path for a potentially strong offensive contributor. This game is an incredibly small sample size, but it serves as a reminder of this and continues to bolster hopes that things can still fall his way.
Nacho Alvarez Sending Braves an Early Message
While Riley is in no danger of losing his starting role, it wouldn't be that difficult for Alvarez to find his way onto the roster if this early surge continues. Nick Allen's defense is incredible, but the same cannot be said for the extremely limited offensive production. If the rest of the lineup was living up to expectations, there is zero chance Allen is considered being removed from the lineup due to the elite glove. However, with the current struggles, that is a possible path for a handful of starts for Alvarez.
Perhaps unpopular, but another legitimate option is considering putting Ozzie Albies onto the bench at times. The infielder has been incredibly frustrating this season, not living anywhere close to expectations. All of this adds up to Alvarez's early hot start, cracking the door open for the infielder to stay on the roster and perhaps earn some starts even when Riley returns.
This is obviously completely dependent on the offensive production continuing and Alvarez making a strong case. If this happens, it could make sense to rotate the three middle infielders and demote Luke Williams, who is only used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. It is a rare interesting story to watch in what continues to be a miserable 2025 Braves season.