The inevitable has finally happened as the Atlanta Braves have released long struggling second baseman Dan Uggla, making the announcement official via the team’s twitter account this afternoon.
The Braves have released 2B Dan Uggla. A corresponding roster move will be made prior to tonight’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 18, 2014
The Braves have recalled infielder Tyler Pastornicky from Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 18, 2014
Uggla has 1 1/2 years and about $19 million remaining on the five-year $62 million contract he signed with the Braves in 2010, after being traded to the team from Florida. The Braves are on the hook for the full amount remaining on the contract.
To say Uggla has been a disappointment in Atlanta is an understatement. He has been downright putrid at the plate hitting .209/.317/.391 slugging percentage in just over 3 ½ seasons for the Braves while totaling 79 homers and 225 RBIs in 499 MLB games.
This season has been Uggla’s worst to date. He was hitting .162/.241/.231 on the year. While he hit two home runs in Philadelphia on April 14th, he is hitting just .129 (11 for 85) with only one extra base hit (a double) and no RBIs since that game.
Youngster Tommy La Stella was brought up from Gwinnett on May 28th and has taken the majority of the starts at second base since that time.
When the Braves recalled Phil Gosselin Saturday the writing has been on the wall for Uggla. While the Braves have tried to trade him (even offering to retain a large portion of his salary) there have simply been no offers for the second baseman.
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