4 months agoAccording to Ken Rosenthal of MLB on FOX, the Athletics have signed free agent infielder
Gio Urshela to a one-year contract. Urshela spent the 2024 campaign playing in Detroit and Atlanta. Across 128 games, the infielder held a .250/.286/.361 line with 19 doubles, nine home runs and no stolen bases. Urshela showed a great eye at the plate with a 15.6% K rate and 20.3% whiff rate which were both significantly above the average marks. In addition, he also generated a .264 xBA which suggest he could be due for some positive regression in 2025. In 2022 and 2023 he posted a .285 AVG and .299 AVG respectively. Fantasy managers should expect him to have an everyday role at the hot corner with the Athletics and could be worth a look in deeper AL-only formats given his low strikeout rate and solid batting average.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
8 months agoThe Atlanta Braves signed free-agent infielder
Gio Urshela to a major-league contract on Tuesday and placed third baseman
Austin Riley (hand) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 19) with a fractured right hand in a corresponding move. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves moved left-handed reliever
A.J. Minter (elbow) to the 60-day IL. Urshela was recently cut by the Detroit Tigers after hitting .243/.286/.333 with a weak .619 OPS, five home runs, 37 RBI and 25 runs scored in 300 at-bats in 2024. It's clear the Braves are desperate for help at the hot corner with Riley now expected to miss the rest of the year. Down on the farm, they're auditioning veteran
Yuli Gurriel at third base. Urshela could immediately slot in at the hot corner in Atlanta, starting on Tuesday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, but he doesn't warrant fantasy attention outside of NL-only leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
8 months agoThe Detroit Tigers designated infielder
Gio Urshela for assignment on Friday, according to a source. The out-of-contention Tigers have decided that it's time to play the youngsters to close out the 2024 regular season. Both infield prospects
Trey Sweeney and
Jace Jung have been called up the last two days and figure to get plenty of opportunities to impress in their first taste of the big leagues down the stretch. Sweeney and Jung are both starting at shortstop and third base, respectively, on Friday at Comerica Park against the New York Yankees. Urshela provided very modest production for the Tigers and fantasy managers in 2024, slashing .243/.286/.333 with a well below-average .619 OPS, only five home runs, 37 RBI and 25 runs scored in 300 at-bats. He's likely to clear waivers and could be sent to Triple-A Toledo.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FanSided - Robert Murray
9 months agoDetroit Tigers third baseman
Gio Urshela hit a walkoff two-run homerun in the bottom of the 10th inning on Saturday to secure the Tigers' 11-9 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a five-run bottom of the ninth, Urshela came in to replace
Justyn-Henry Malloy in the lineup. In the bottom of the 10th with one out and a runner at third, Urshela launched a 81.5 MPH sweeper into the left field stands to give the righty his fourth HR of the season. The walkoff shot will certainly provide a great boost of confidence for Urshela who has been having a subpar season at the plate and was recently moved from third base to first base to provide
Matt Vierling and
Zach McKinstry more time at the hot corner. With Saturday appearing to be a day of rest, expect Urshela to be back in the lineup on Sunday against the Dodgers, who have not named a starter as of yet.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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