Braves Outright Ben Heller, Andrew Velazquez To Triple-A
The Atlanta Braves outrighted right-hander Ben Heller and infielder Andrew Velazquez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday. The Baltimore Orioles also claimed outfielder Sam Hilliard off waivers from the Braves. Heller, 32, made his first appearance in the big leagues in three years in 2023 and surrendered nine runs (eight earned) on 16 hits (two home runs) while walking 11 and striking out 16 in 18 2/3 innings over 19 outings out of the bullpen in Atlanta. Velazquez, 29, was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels late in the year and didn't see any action in the bigs in Atlanta to close out the season. In 54 games for the Halos, he hit a weak .173 (14-for-81) with two home runs, three RBI and 13 stolen bases in 94 plate appearances.
The Atlanta Braves have claimed infielder Andrew Velazquez off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. The glove-first shortstop appeared in 54 games with the Angels this season but limped to a .173 average alongside two homers and a .548 OPS across 94 trips to the plate. At the very least, the 29-year-old offered some speed with 13 stolen bases on the year. Nonetheless, Velazquez is a career .189 hitter with 12 home runs, 40 stolen bases, and a .537 OPS across 624 plate appearances, production that is a staggering 52% below the league average, as per his 48 wRC+. He will serve as infield depth at Triple-A for the time being.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrew Velazquez will remain in the lineup for Friday's meeting against the Blue Jays. Zach Neto (back) was scratched, so Velazquez will hit ninth versus Kevin Gausman. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old has struggled against right-handed throwers this season, batting .195, meaning he's not the best fantasy option for those looking for someone to take Neto's place.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Andrew Velazquez is starting in center field and batting ninth in the team's Cactus League contest on Monday against the Cleveland Guardians. Most of Velazquez's major-league experience has come on the infield, but the 28-year-old needs to become more versatile if he wants to stick on the major-league roster. In a career-high 125 games for the Halos last year, Velazquez hit .196/.236/.304 with a .540 OPS, nine home runs, 28 RBI, 37 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 349 plate appearances. He saw more playing time than expected due to injuries to David Fletcher and Anthony Rendon, so fantasy managers shouldn't bank on as many plate appearances in 2023. His offensive production was nothing to look at last year, either, but he could be useful for some stolen bases in AL-only leagues.
The Los Angeles Angels placed infielder Andrew Velazquez (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a right meniscus tear and recalled infielder Michael Stefanic from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. Velazquez tore his meniscus in the game on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians and will miss the rest of the 2022 season. Barring any setbacks over the winter, the 28-year-old should be just fine for the start of next year. In a career-high 125 games (349 plate appearances) in his first year in Anaheim, Velazquez slashed just .196/.236/.304 with nine home runs, 28 RBI, 37 runs scored and 17 stolen bases.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Andrew Velazquez will keep the shortstop job once infielder David Fletcher (hip) returns from surgery on both of the adductor muscles in his legs. Velazquez isn't doing anyone any favors with his batting average -- he's hitting just .193 (27-for-140) on the year -- but he is in the top 10 in the American League in stolen bases with eight in 44 games for the Halos. The 27-year-old switch-hitter batted .224/.235/.358 with one home run, six RBI and four stolen bases in 28 games with the New York Yankees last year. With the shortstop job locked down in Anaheim, Velazquez is worth rostering in deep mixed and AL-only leagues for his speed alone.
Angels Add Andrew Velazquez and Brendon Davis To 40-Man
The Los Angeles Angels made two additions to their 40-man roster Friday, claiming infielder Andrew Velazquez from the Yankees and selecting homegrown infielder Brendon Davis. The move prevents Davis from opting for minor-league free agency. While neither is expected to have a fantasy impact in 2022, each has some pedigree. Velazquez stole four bases in 28 games this season, while Davis slashed .290/.361/.561 with 30 homers and 16 steals across three minor-league levels. Davis is worth keeping an eye on, though he appears ticketed for Triple-A to start 2022.
Andrew Velazquez Starting At Shortstop In Wild Card Game
New York Yankees shortstop Andrew Velazquez is getting the start in Tuesday's Wild Card showdown against the Boston Red Sox. He's covering shortstop and batting ninth in the lineup. Velazquez and Gio Urshela were splitting shortstop duties down the stretch this year, but Urshela is shifting over to third base for Tuesday's game. Rougned Odor would have been the alternative to Velazquez, but he's starting the game on the bench. Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is on the mound for the Red Sox and Odor struggled immensely against righties this year. Odor hit just .191/.269/.356 against righties in 2021 while Velazquez hit .233/.233/.419.
New York Yankees shortstop Andrew Velazquez hit his first major-league home run Saturday, going 1-for-4 against the Minnesota Twins. Velazquez, a home-grown New Yorker living in his childhood bedroom while he fills in at shortstop in the Bronx, has made good on his opportunity this season with a .689 OPS and two steals in 33 at-bats. Fantasy managers should nevertheless leave the short-term stopgap on the waiver wire.
New York Yankees shortstop Andrew Velazquez has made the most of his opportunity lately, and he put together another strong game against Boston Wednesday going 2-for-4 with two RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. It's his first steal of the season. With just 23 at-bats this season, Velazquez has five hits, three runs, and four RBI. Despite the success, he's not a fantasy add, as he should lose his roster spot in short order once the Yankees get healthy, and even now he's batting in the ninth spot in the lineup.
Andrew Velazquez
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Braves
