Braves acquire infielder Arcia from Brewers for 2 pitchers

<p>MILWAUKEE &mdash; The Atlanta Braves have acquired infielder Orlando Arcia from the Milwaukee Brewers for right-handed pitchers Chad Sobotka and Patrick Weigel.</p>
<p>Arcia had been the Brewers’ starting shortstop from 2018-20, but was expected to split time between shortstop and third base this year in more of a utility role.</p>
<p>This move clears the way for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-eric-lauer-trent-grisham-san-diego-padres-zach-davies-3e60366c2f7e00f6ab3c767318e63907">Luis Urías</a> to take over as the Brewers’ everyday shortstop. The Brewers had acquired the 23-year-old Urías along with pitcher Eric Lauer from San Diego in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/6bea32434efd4ac6a012837e0ea8f53a">November 2019 trade</a> that sent outfielder Trent Grisham and pitcher Zach Davies to the Padres.</p>
<p>Arcia brings infield depth to the Braves.</p>
<p>The 26-year-old Arcia has gone 1 for 11 so far this season after hitting .260 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 59 games last year. He has batted .244 with a .293 on-base percentage, 42 homers and 180 RBIs in 542 regular-season games.</p>
<p>“He’s kind of an up-and-coming guy,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I was a little surprised he was available. Any time you can upgrade and add to depth at the shortstop position it’s really a good move.”</p>
<p>Arcia’s best moments have come in the postseason. Arcia has a career postseason average of .295 with an .879 OPS. After the Brewers and Chicago Cubs finished the regular season with identical 95-67 records in 2018, Arcia went 4 of 4 and scored two runs in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/143d450903f046b98a78077a55a14476">a 3-1 victory in Chicago that gave Milwaukee the NL Central title.</a></p>
<p>“Orlando contributed to some of the biggest moments in Brewers history, including his memorable four-hit performance in game 163 in 2018,” Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a statement. “We wish Orlando and his family well as they move on to their next baseball chapter.” </p>
<p>Sobotka and Weigel will report to the Brewers’ alternate training site in Appleton, Wisconsin.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old Sobotka is 1-0 with a 5.36 ERA in 50 relief appearances. Weigel, 26, has appeared in only one major-league game.</p>
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