The return of Ender Inciarte was supposed to be a boon for the Atlanta Braves. They were in desperate need of help in the outfield, and Inciarte’s ability to play all three positions well defensively appeared to be beneficial. Even if his bat was not an asset, his defensive ability was still considered to be enough to keep him on the roster for the time being.
Instead, the Braves have decided to move on. Inciarte was activated from the Injured List on Saturday, and immediately designated for assignment.
The #Braves today reinstated OF Ender Inciarte from the injured list and designated him for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 24, 2021
Atlanta Braves moving on from Ender Inciarte
There was a time when Inciarte appeared to be a key part of their present and future. A three time Gold Glove winner and 2017 All Star, Inciarte produced enough with the bat where his excellent defense made him a viable major league regular. With decent speed and contact skills, Inciarte was the type of player that had value either in the second spot or bottom of a lineup.
However, injuries limited his effectiveness over the past three seasons. Leg issues sapped his ability with the glove, and his bat kept trending in the wrong direction. He had produced a disappointing .223/.306/.338 batting line over his 450 plate appearances since the start of the 2019 campaign, hitting 15 doubles and eight homers while stealing 12 bases.
Despite making $8.7 million this season, Inciarte had been slotted into a backup role, with just 89 plate appearances in his 52 games. However, his glove was no longer providing the value it had been, as the Braves could no longer justify his salary.
It speaks volumes as to how far Inciarte has fallen. The Braves outfield has been a mess lately, as they are still looking to add to their mix even after acquiring Joc Pederson. Inciarte would at least be a healthy body who can work as a fourth or fifth outfielder, but the Braves feel that their current group, as mediocre as it may be, would still be an upgrade over the former Gold Glove winner.
The Atlanta Braves have finally moved on from Ender Inciarte. Even with the holes in their outfield, he was not considered to be worth bringing back.