The Braves demoted outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A on Tuesday, ending the 25-year-old’s stint with the big league club after a prolonged struggle at the plate.
Atlanta immediately filled the roster spot by signing veteran outfielder Eddie Rosario to a Major League contract, giving the club an experienced left-handed bat off the bench.
“I think it will be good for Jared to go back and play, get at-bats, and Eddie can come here and maybe handle some of the left-handed pinch-hitting,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s done that before, been very successful at it. So it’s good when you get an experienced guy like that.”
Kelenic has struggled to find consistency since arriving in Atlanta. He’s slashed just .222/.279/.381 across 154 games and 514 plate appearances. The former top prospect hasn’t been able to translate his raw tools into consistent production at the major league level.
The demotion gives the Braves a chance to see what they have in Eli White while adding Rosario’s veteran presence to the clubhouse.
“Eddie’s a veteran guy, and we’re going to give Eli some runs,” Snitker explained. “It’d be good for Jared to go back and play, get at-bats.”
The Braves aren’t closing the door on Kelenic’s future with the club. They’re hoping regular playing time in Triple-A will help him rediscover his swing and confidence.
“He just needs to get playing time,” Snitker said. “Jared has got options, so he can go back down and play. We’ll probably run him around all the outfield positions and get him regular at-bats. That’ll be good for him.”
The move comes with Atlanta sitting at 13-15, currently third in a competitive NL East. The Braves are looking for any edge they can find as they try to keep pace with the Phillies and Mets in the division race.
