The Atlanta Braves' bench is not particularly scary these days. Other than whichever catcher is not playing on a given day between Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin, the Braves don't have much in the way of upside with their reserves as the club has opted for guys with specific utility with outfielder Stuart Fairchild being a classic example.
Fairchild is pretty much the stereotypical 4th/5th outfielder type. He swings a toothpick, but Fairchild is a pretty good defender and he is a very able pinch-runner. While you don't want him to come to the plate basically ever, he has his uses. However, Fairchild has also been out since the end of May after he dislocated his pinkie on a slide and left the Braves even more short-handed.
Thankfully, Atlanta got some good injury news for a change as Fairchild was reinstated from the injured list. To make room on the roster, Jose Azocar was designated for assignment.
The #Braves today returned OF Stuart Fairchild from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and designated OF José Azocar for assignment. Following yesterday’s game, Atlanta returned INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. from his rehabilitation assignment,…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 16, 2025
Braves activate Stuart Fairchild from IL, DFA outfielder Jose Azocar
We'll start with Nacho Alvarez Jr. as that is a short explanation. Alvarez had been out with a wrist injury and was approaching the limit of how long he could be on rehab assignment. Overall, he is looking pretty good and will now get the chance to prove that he deserves another shot at the big leagues. While the Braves are playing him at third base for now, one hopes that shortstop remains an option as Nick Allen just isn't it.
As for the outfield bench guys, this a roster move on the absolutely margins of the roster. Neither Fairchild nor Azocar are going to move the needle much this season. With Jurickson Profar set to return at the beginning of July, this move feels like a very short-term one. Upon Profar's return from his suspension, Fairchild feels like a prime candidate to get booted from the roster as well.
One hopes that more exciting roster moves are coming soon, but fans will have to settle for this one for now.