Braves recall Nacho Alvarez Jr., sign veteran Whit Merrifield after Albies wrist injury

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves made two moves Monday to replace injured second baseman Ozzie Albies, recalling infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. from Triple-A Gwinnett and signing veteran Whit Merrifield.

The Braves said after Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals that Albies is expected to be out for eight weeks with a broken left wrist. Albies was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday.

The Braves sent outfielder Eli White to Triple-A Gwinnett after Sunday’s game. To make room on the 40-man roster for Merrifield, outfielder Forrest Wall was designated for assignment.

Philadelphia fired Merrifield on July 12. Merrifield was a versatile player with the Phillies, but his experience at second base is especially important as the Braves look to replace Albies for at least the remainder of the regular season.

Merrifield, 35, batted .199 in 53 games for the Phillies, including 20 as a left fielder, 12 at second base and eight at third base.

Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia made 43 starts at second base for Atlanta in 2021. The Braves like Arcia’s defense at shortstop, so Alvarez could move from shortstop, his primary position in the minors, to second base. Merrifield could be seen as insurance if Alvarez struggles with the transition.

Albies was injured while trying to catch a pitch as Michael Siani stole second base in the ninth inning on Sunday. Siani slid into Albies as the infielder reached for the ball and bent his glove hand back at an awkward angle.

Zack Short replaced Albies in Sunday’s game.

Albies is the third Atlanta starting position player to be sidelined for a significant period of time due to injury. Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a knee injury in May that sidelined him for the season. Center fielder Michael Harris II, who replaced Acuna as leadoff hitter, was placed on the 10-day IL on June 14 with a left hamstring injury.

Earlier Sunday, All-Star left-hander Max Fried went on the 15-day injured list with forearm neuritis, an inflammation of the nerves, in a move retroactive to Thursday. Ace right-hander Spencer Strider underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in April.