Former Phillie Whit Merrifield signs with Atlanta Braves

As the second half began, the Atlanta Braves attempted to strengthen the team ahead of the July 30 transfer deadline.

Atlanta has acquired former Phillies player Whit Merrifield, who struggled in a half-season with the Phillies, hitting just .199 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 53 games with Philadelphia.

The Phillies signed Merrifield to a one-year, $8 million contract during the offseason after an All-Star season in Toronto, where he batted .272 with 11 home runs and 26 stolen bases.

Merrifield’s arrival comes after Atlanta lost Ozzie Albies to a broken left wrist, which is expected to sideline him for eight weeks.

Atlanta will now be without three key stars: Albies, Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Braves are the NL’s top Wild Card team, but are 8.5 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East. The two teams will meet seven more times before the end of the 2020 season.