The Atlanta Braves have an interesting decision to make when it comes to the team's future at the shortstop position.
Orlando Arcia has been put into the rearview with Nick Allen enjoying an incredible start to the 2025 season. However, as the shortstop's offensive production has faded, there are reasons to wonder if the team might consider a change. This is bolstered by the return of Nacho Alvarez, who is already being reassigned to the Gwinnett Stripers as he works his way back from injury, per The Athletic's David O'Brien.
#Braves transferred INF Nacho Alvarez Jr.’s rehab assignment from the FCL (Rookie League) to Triple-A Gwinnett.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 12, 2025
Also, OF Stuart Fairchild begins a rehab assignment tonight with Gwinnett.
Nacho Alvarez's Return Presents Braves with an Interesting Decision
Allen is hitting .234 and far from Atlanta's biggest offensive problem in the current lineup. Entertaining a change isn't about the results quite as much as it is about attempting to find your long-term solution.
There is never going to be a better time to find out exactly what you have in your minor league system, with how the Braves have floundered in recent weeks. A turnaround isn't out of the question completely, but is increasingly unlikely. Putting Alvarez on the Major League roster and shifting Allen into the role of Luke Williams gives you a chance to improve.
At worst, Alvarez is an inferior option in both phases of the game, and Atlanta has its answer. With how the team has fared in the 2025 season, holding the status quo isn't doing the team or fan base any favors. Starting to give prospects a chance to claim jobs is the right direction to push if the Braves aren't going to make desperate moves at this year's trade deadline.
Alvarez isn't the only Brave nearing a return, as Stuart Fairchild is getting ready to join the active roster as well.
The outfielder's time in Atlanta appears to be coming to an end with Jurickson Profar able to return from suspension at the end of this month. With neither Eli White nor Alex Verdugo likely to be demoted, the most likely player to fall off the active roster when this happens is Fairchild.
The outfielder has been valuable as a defensive replacement and pinch runner but is a clear offensive liability. Still, until Profar's return, the outfielder should be expected to join the active roster for the time being.
With this in mind, the Braves can easily make room for both players by demoting Fairchild's replacement and infielder Luke Williams. It gives your bench a far higher ceiling and allows the team to find out if the returning prospect could be a long-term answer at the shortstop position.