Atlanta Braves Rumors: Dansby Swanson returns for final series of season

The Chicago Cubs are in Atlanta for a critical three-game series as they fight for one of the final NL Wild Card spots. A series defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates put Chicago in a precarious position, but they have since responded by sweeping the Colorado Rockies. Now with a day off behind them, the Cubs are up for the challenge of cementing their season as a success, and facing off against the best team in baseball, record-wise.

Swanson returns to Truist Park for the first time since he left Atlanta this offseason. It seems unlikely Swanson will be met with anything but cheers in his ATL return, especially considering all he means to the Braves organization. Heck, it's not his fault Alex Anthopoulos wouldn't pay up.

Dansby has done wonders for this Chicago organization, as the Sheriff has installed a new culture of winning on the north side of the Windy City.

"I love seeing where we started and where we've come to," Swanson said, per The Athletic. "What people looked at the Chicago Cubs as (when the season started) versus what they (see) now. To me, there's a difference in how we go about our business and the expectations and standards that we've started to create here. That's a big deal. If you want sustainable success, you need that part first. I feel like we've done a really good job of building on that. Every day we show up, we expect to win. That's a really important step until you can really thrive at a high level."

Now with their backs up against the wall, Swanson must help lead the Cubs to a series victory in familiar territory, or hope the Cubs opponents struggle alongside them.

Atlanta Braves Rumors: Vaughn Grissom could be looming after latest roster move

Just a few days ago I wrote that a Vaughn Grissom or Braden Shewmake call up seemed unlikely due to the players already listed on the MLB roster in the Braves infield. Nicky Lopez and Ehire Adrianza appeared to have those spots locked down for the moment. That all changed on Tuesday, as Atlanta designated Adrianza for assignment.

Adrianza has been battling injury all season long, and was placed on the 60-day injured list some time ago. He moved up his rehab start to Gwinnett a few weeks back, seeming to suggest that he wanted to play in the postseason. However, the lack of major-league experience for Adrianza so far this season seemed to work against him. Fan Nation described Adrianza's conflict in a quick article:

"Adrianza returned to Atlanta on a minor league contract in 2023, earning a roster spot over the likes of Vaughn Grissom and Brandon Shewmake. But after appearing in five games, he was placed on the injured list with elbow inflammation, then transferred to the 60-day IL after injuring his shoulder during rehab. Likely to go unclaimed on waivers, Ehire Adrianza will likely become a free agent soon and will be able to sign with a new organization," Natasha Welingkar wrote.

Even without Adrianza, there is no guarantee that Atlanta will call up Grissom. The young Braves infielder struggles at times defensively, especially at shortstop. Unless Brian Snitker plans on using Grissom at second base behind Ozzie Albies or DH behind Marcell Ozuna, he could be a liability in the playoffs, where every mistake is highlighted.

Atlanta Braves Rumors: Will Charlie Morton be the same when he gets back?

While Max Fried will be available for the Braves in the NLDS, Charlie Morton will not. Morton suffered a sprained index finger and will miss Atlanta's first postseason series, at the very least. This puts the Braves in a very uncomfortable spot, as they already were short on pitching depth. Alex Anthopoulos and Co. were counting on Fried and Kyle Wright coming back and returning to form relatively quickly come the postseason. Fried has looked decent, while Wright has not. Other options, such as Michael Soroka and A.J. Smith-Shawver, are also dealing with injuries.

At the time of his injury and subsequent placement on the 15-day IL, Snitker's commentary didn't inspire much confidence that Morton would be back (or the same pitcher) for the NLCS, if Atlanta were to reach that point.

"We were looking at the calendar and it's going to be over three weeks [of recovery]," Snitker said. "So, hopefully, best-case scenario, he could be ready for [the NLCS] if we advance."

Best-case scenarios don't often play out in the playoffs, and Morton is getting up there in age. While it makes him more likely to risk his health, it also means the recovery time will be longer. Asking Morton to pitch in the NLCS is fine, but penciling him in as a starter at the beginning of the series feels like a stretch.

"There's never good timing for all of that kind of stuff," Snitker said. "But hopefully we have the depth to cover everything up and go on to be competitive."

Morton's injury puts more pressure on Fried and Wright to contribute in the postseason rotation.