The Atlanta Braves may have just taken a small but significant step toward addressing one of their needs on Monday. Top infield prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. has officially begun his rehab assignment in the complex league down in North Port, Florida.
Alvarez’s Lingering Wrist Woes
Let’s rewind to late February—Spring Training is just beginning to hum, and Alvarez, then riding a wave of momentum from a strong 2023 season in Triple-A, exits a Grapefruit League game with what looked like a minor wrist tweak.
Initial reports were optimistic. A few days, maybe a week—then he’d be back. But instead, that wrist became a stubborn riddle. It flared up, it lingered, and the 10-day IL stint turned into a ghost season until now.
This return to live action marks the first game action for Alvarez since that February 27 exit. That’s over three months of missed developmental time. No Spring Training, no Grapefruit League rhythm, and no plate appearances since last year. And yet, the buzz is still very real—and very justified.
A Glimpse of What Could Be For the Braves
Ranked as the Braves’ No. 3 prospect, Alvarez’s minor league profile is everything Atlanta could use right now. In Triple-A last year, the kid posted a .297 average with a .861 OPS. He racked up 10 homers and 42 RBIs in just 81 games.
But his brief Major League cameo? Not so great—just 3-for-30 with no extra-base hits or walks. That first taste of The Show revealed he wasn’t quite ready. Fair enough. Most rookies aren’t.
But now he could be just what the Braves need.
There’s a clear opening with Orlando Arcia out the door, and the middle infield options are reduced to an uninspiring patchwork of Luke Williams, Nick Allen, and the theoretical but untested Eli White.
And once Alvarez gets his timing back—and gets the green light—he could slot into that shortstop depth chart quickly. Even a platoon role would be meaningful for a team looking for any semblance of offensive consistency.
The Path Back to Atlanta
Alvarez won’t be in the big leagues tomorrow. Or even next week. He’s got to get reps. He missed the entire spring, and this rehab stint is about more than shaking off rust—it’s about proving he’s ready this time.
But if he can stay healthy, adjust to live pitching again, and rekindle the power and patience that made him so productive in Gwinnett, he might just find himself in Atlanta sooner rather than later. Especially if the Braves continue to sputter at the plate.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. may not be the savior but could be a solid solution. For a club grasping for upside and infield stability, that’s more than enough to get excited about.
