Braves Option Jim Jarvis, Recall Brewer Hicklen Amid Struggles

The Atlanta Braves have made a roster change, opting to send shortstop Jim Jarvis to the minors while recalling outfielder Brewer Hicklen. Jarvis, who had been the primary shortstop against right-handed pitchers, struggled significantly in August, posting a dismal -36 wRC+ in 42 plate appearances.

Jarvis's performance had been a mixed bag since his acquisition last year. Initially, he showed promise with a 111 wRC+ in July, but his numbers plummeted as the season progressed. With a total of 124 major league plate appearances, he ended with a 56 wRC+ and -0.1 fWAR, prompting the Braves to seek alternatives at shortstop.

Mauricio Dubon is expected to take over the shortstop duties, although the Braves might also consider giving Ha-Seong Kim some playing time, depending on their current performance and division standings. Dubon himself has been struggling, with an xwOBA under .300 for the past eight weeks, but his situation is less dire than Jarvis's.

Brewer Hicklen returns to the major league roster after an impressive stint in Triple-A, where he recorded a 130 wRC+. He previously had a brief but successful run in the majors, posting a 192 wRC+ in 23 plate appearances before being sent down. Although he may not start regularly with Lane Thomas now on the roster, Hicklen's performance in the minors keeps him in the mix for playing time.