Braves rumors: 4 ideal replacements for 4 toughest injuries so far

Braves replacement for Michael Harris II: Sam Hilliard

The reason that Rosario might need to be platooned at the DH spot if he is to be the option there is because the most likely and the best option for the Braves to use in center field for however long that Michael Harris II is out of the lineup is veteran Sam Hilliard.

Hilliard was signed this offseason after spending four seasons in the majors but being used sparingly with the Rockies. So far in eight games with Atlanta, Hilliard has impressed in the right spots, slashing .333/.417/.476 with three doubles and two stolen bases over eight games thus far.

As a left-handed hitter who has traditional splits at the plate, having both him and Rosario in the lineup consistently could cause some issues when they’re matched up against a southpaw.

At the same time, though, when a team is having the type of bad injury luck that the Braves are to start this season, sometimes your hand gets forced. And Hilliard has undoubtedly shown enough at the plate in limited work and in the field to prove that he deserves the chance to be the every-day starter while Harris is out.

Even if he doesn’t hit .333 for the remainder of the year, he’s flashed enough to earn more opportunities and this undoubtedly qualifies as the time to give him that shot.