What started as a head-scratching move when the Atlanta Braves acquired Stuart Fairchild now looks like a calculated preemptive strike. On Monday, Jurickson Profar was hit with an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, and suddenly, that depth move in the outfield makes a whole lot more sense.
Fairchild Arrives Just in Time
According to the Braves’ official announcement, Fairchild will be active for Tuesday night’s game at Dodger Stadium. If things go how they’ve been, Brian Snitker might be tempted to throw him into the lineup immediately.
Why? Because the Braves have scored just one run in their last three games. That’s not a slump — that’s an offensive black hole.
Even if Fairchild doesn’t start Tuesday, he’s almost certainly getting his crack on Wednesday when lefty Blake Snell takes the hill for Los Angeles. That’s Fairchild’s bread and butter.
Over his MLB career, he’s posted a .755 OPS against left-handers — a solid 111 points higher than his OPS against righties.
Last season with the Reds, he slashed .273/.350/.436 against left-handers in 124 plate appearances, racking up eight extra-base hits, 21 RBIs, and 21 runs scored. Compare that to a paltry .152/.213/.293 against righties, and the matchup advantage becomes obvious.
Atlanta’s Outfield Scramble
The Braves will now rely heavily on a platoon approach to get through the next few months without Profar or Ronald Acuña Jr., who’s not expected back until May. That means Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz, and now Fairchild will have to shoulder the load in the outfield.
Kelenic, another lefty, is unlikely to face Snell, which gives Fairchild an open lane to prove his value immediately. While his overall 2024 numbers — a .215 average and .654 OPS — don’t scream difference-maker, his splits against lefties tell a more optimistic story.
His best stretch came in 2022 when he posted a .800 OPS across stints with the Reds, Giants, and Mariners.
Another Braves Roster Shuffle
The move to bring in Fairchild also triggered a roster shift, with the Braves transferring Joe Jiménez to the 60-day injured list to free up space on the 40-man roster.
Jiménez is still recovering from knee surgery and wasn’t expected to be ready before midseason anyway. So this was a logical move, even if it underscores Atlanta’s current state of roster chaos.
A New Braves Chapter Begins
This is more than just a chance to fill a roster hole for Fairchild. It’s a shot to prove he can be more than a platoon bat. For the Braves, it’s about survival.
They’ve dropped every game to open the season; the offense has gone ice-cold. Now they’re dealing with a suspension, multiple injuries, and a suddenly thin outfield.
If Stuart Fairchild can give this lineup even a small jolt, it could be just what Atlanta needs to climb out of the early hole.
