We are 41 games into the Atlanta Braves' 2026 season, with the sample size more than enough to begin to judge individual results. One of the few frustrations that Atlanta has faced comes from a surprise source, with 2026 free agent signing Mike Yastrzemski. The hitter is struggling despite being utilized in a platoon role. While expectations were heightened after the suspension of Jurickson Profar, manager Walt Weiss has still carefully picked the matchups for Yastrzemski in an attempt to get the most out of the veteran.
This has been rewarded with an average of .200 and extremely limited power with the outfielder yet to offer a single home run. Players with far fewer at-bats already have this milestone, with Eli White, Jorge Mateo, and even the traded Jonah Heim all hitting the ball out of the park at least once for the Atlanta lineup.
Yastrzemski has been a liability a season after hitting .256 and offering 15 homers when facing right-handed pitching. This is where Weiss has looked to utilize the outfielder, playing matchups and attempting to get the most out of his roster. The veteran outfielder has looked lost at the plate and has continued to garner at-bats simply due to a lack of options.
Still, there is reason to wonder as Ronald Acuna Jr.'s return approaches how long the Braves are going to remain patient. Weiss has only allowed Yastrzemski to face left-handers 15 times this season, with 100 at-bats against right-handers producing a .210 average.
Braves Can't Help but Continue to Grow Frustrated with Mike Yastrzemski's Lack of Offense
It isn't as if Yastrzemski is an elite defender or speedy baserunning option that is offering further upside to the Atlanta lineup. The veteran was brought to Atlanta to hit right-handed pitching and be a consistent presence on the bench. With these expectations being clearly failed as we near the middle of May, it will be interesting to watch how patient the Braves are willing to be with what has been an offensive liability.
Part of what has allowed so much patience for the outfielder is the fact that the rest of Atlanta's lineup has been lethal. While there are a few pieces that have struggled, the collective effort has been incredibly impressive and has the Braves safely ranked among the league's most productive offensive units.
With that said, it isn't as if the Braves have a clear out with the veteran signing a two-year deal with $23 million in guarantees. It is a deal that is aging incredibly poorly and is one of the few offseason misses for a team that has found an incredible cast of contributors that were overlooked by much of the league.
This still doesn't take away the sting of such a high-profile signing appearing to be such an incredible bust. It will be interesting to watch if this continues, if the Braves can find a way to move off the contract or simply opt to move the outfielder to the bench. Whatever the answer proves to be, there is no questioning the frustration with what appears to be a free agency miss.
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