Whit Merrifield's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Atlanta Braves infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield (finger) took a ball off a finger on his right hand before Monday's contest against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, but he avoided a fracture and is considered day-to-day. It comes on the same day that Merrifield signed a major-league deal with the Braves to help provide depth at second base with Ozzie Albies sidelined with a fractured wrist. When he gets past his finger issue, the 35-year-old veteran should bounce around as a utility player for Atlanta between second base and a corner-outfield spot. Once a must-start player in fantasy mainly for his speed, Merrifield is probably only an NL-only asset nowadays. Before being released by the Philadelphia Phillies this year, he was slashing a weak .199/.277/.295 with a career-low .572 OPS, three homers, 11 RBI and 11 swipes in 53 games played.

The Atlanta Braves will reportedly sign utility player Whit Merrifield. The veteran, who was recently released by the Philadelphia Phillies, will sign a major league deal with the Braves according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Merrifield hit .199 for the Phillies this year in 53 games, with three homers and 11 RBI to go with 11 stolen bases. The 35-year-old is expected to provide depth for the Braves with starting second baseman Ozzie Albies projected to be out for eight weeks with a left wrist fracture.

The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Friday that they released infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield and called up outfielder Weston Wilson from the minors to replace him on the active roster. Wilson is actually starting in left field and batting seventh on Friday against the Oakland Athletics with left-hander Hogan Harris on the mound. Merrifield, a three-time All-Star, will look for work elsewhere around the league now after slashing just .199/.277/.295 with a .572 OPS, three home runs, 11 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 53 games for the Phillies. The 35-year-old former ninth-round pick in 2010 out of South Carolina was once a fantasy start back in his days with the Kansas City Royals because of his speed, but he's no longer an everyday player and has never had a 20-homer season in eight big-league campaigns. Merrifield should latch on with another team as a super-utility man.

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Whit Merrifield went 1-for-4 on Saturday with his third home run of the season. Through 34 games this season, the 35-year-old holds a poor .174/.250/.294 line with six stolen bases. Merrifield has been in a strict utility role through the early part of the season and should be expected to continue to do so throughout the summer. In his past seven games, he has tallied only two hits and is on pace to have the worst season of his career. However, he is still holding an excellent 9.9% K rate. Merrifield is typically a strong batting average stabilizer and option for speed, but he has yet to settle in with his new club. Once he begins to raise his batting average, he could be worth a look in deeper leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies utility man Whit Merrifield is starting in left field and is batting eighth on Monday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds and left-hander Andrew Abbott. Brandon Marsh is moving to center field, which pushes Johan Rojas to the bench. Merrifield wasn't in the team's Opening Day lineup last Thursday, but he's started each of the last three games with left-handers on the mound. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star is looking likely to play anytime the Phils face lefties and to help fill in when others need days off throughout the year. So far through his two games played, he's gone 1-for-7 with a walk in eight plate appearances. As long as Merrifield sticks near the bottom of the Phillies' batting order, he's not going to have a very high fantasy ceiling on a daily basis.