Atlanta Braves Re-Sign Charlie Culberson to a Minor League Deal, Again (again)
It seems like Charlie Culberson and the Atlanta Braves can't stay away from each other for too long. Just a day after electing free agency, Charlie Culberson signed yet another minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. He had been designated for assignment on July 31st to make room for Nicky Lopez, who was acquired the day before.
#Braves have re-signed INF Charlie Culberson to a minor league contract.
— MiLB-Transactions (@tombaseball29) August 4, 2023
Culberson had previously elected free agency on June 25th after being DFA'd on June 18. He re-signed with the Braves just two days later and was added back to the major league roster on June 30.
The 2023 Charlie Culberson seems like a never-ending rollercoaster. After spending this past Spring Training with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Georgia native was cut loose and signed a minor league deal with Atlanta a week later.
He started the season with the Gwinnett Stripers, played 24 games, mostly at 1B or DH, and didn't play particularly well. However, he was added to the major league roster on May 19 after the Braves sent down Braden Shewmake.
He then proceeded to spend four weeks on the Braves' active roster without entering a single game before being booted off the active roster when Sean Murphy suffered a hamstring injury that was bad enough to need an extra catcher, but not bad enough to place Murphy on the IL. The timing of his DFA was unfortunate, as his father was set to throw out the first pitch.
After rejoining the active roster on June 30th, it looked like he would once again ride the bench without playing a game. On July 16th against the White Sox, however, he got his moment to shine.
This is Culberson's only plate appearance to date, but he does lead the team in AVG, OBP, SLG, and wRC+, minimum of one plate appearance.
It's unlikely Culberson rejoins the major league roster this season unless an infielder suffers a serious injury (the 40-man roster is as full as it can possibly be), but no one saw this saga coming at the beginning of the year, either.
For now, welcome back, again, Charlie (again)!