Only two days after Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker raised eyebrows by pinch-hitting 2021 postseason hero Eddie Rosario for Eli White, the team’s front office took steps to prevent a repeat — at least for now.
On Friday, the Braves designated Rosario for assignment and called up utilityman Luke Williams, who has previously spent portions of the last two seasons with the big-league club.
Why the Braves moved on from Eddie Rosario (again) with roster move
The #Braves today selected INF Luke Williams to the major league roster and designated OF Eddie Rosario for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 9, 2025
When the Braves brought back Eddie Rosario a few weeks ago, the plan was to allow Jarred Kelenic to get regular playing time while still having a left-handed bat available off the bench. But Rosario only played in three games during this third stint with Atlanta, going hitless in four at-bats. Over the past three seasons, Rosario has ranked as the eighth-worst hitter by wRC+ among players with at least 800 plate appearances.
His last appearance came as a pinch-runner, when he scored the tying run in the Braves’ comeback win over the Reds. That moment may have prompted GM Alex Anthopoulos and the front office to bring up Luke Williams instead.
Though Williams has struggled offensively with the Gwinnett Stripers—posting a .132/.205/.145 slash line (.350 OPS) in 83 plate appearances—he offers advantages Rosario doesn’t.
Williams brings defensive versatility, able to play both infield and outfield, and he has significantly more speed. While Rosario’s average sprint speed last year was 27.3 ft/sec (just below average), Williams clocked in at 28.6 ft/sec, landing in the 83rd percentile.
Stuart Fairchild has served as the team’s go-to pinch runner, doing so in four of his 13 games, but it appears the front office wants another speed option on the roster in case a game unfolds like it did Thursday.
It could also be a safeguard to prevent manager Brian Snitker from again pinch-hitting one of MLB’s least productive hitters for a player currently performing well.
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