The Atlanta Braves wasted no time finding a plug-in for Ozzie Albies who fractured his wrist in Sunday afternoon’s 6-2 loss to the S.T Louis Cardinals.

Super utility man Whit Merrifield who was released by the Phillies last week has struck a major league deal with the Braves.

With Albies expected to be out for approximately eight weeks, Merrifield will have a chance to prove himself at second base after a rough season with the Phillies.

In 174 plate appearances with Philadelphia, Merrifield slashed just .199/.277/.295 with three home runs and 11 RBIs.

Every day playing time at second base could help a struggling Merrifield get going as Atlanta could use a shot in the arm with all its stars on the IL

Atlanta’s IL list continues to grow as Ozzie Albies joins last season’s MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. former CY Young Spencer Strider and ace Max Fried.

Following all of those injuries, Merrifield will be the third released veteran player that Atlanta has picked up in the last few weeks.

Outfielders Ramon Laureano and Eddie Rosario were picked up by the Braves after being released by the Guardians and Nationals respectively.

Merrifield, a three-time all-star will join a banged-up Braves team that sits at 54-44, 8.5 games back of Merrifield’s former team the Phillies.

Despite being so far out of the division title race, Atlanta holds the first Wild Card spot in the N.L., 1.5 games above the S.T Louis Cardinals who have the second W.C spot.