ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 04: Alex Anthopoulos introduces Walt Weiss as the manager of the Atlanta Braves during a press conference at Truist Park on November 4, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves experienced their worst season in the last seven years in 2025 and, so far, 2026 isn’t looking much different.
After earning playoff berths in every season since 2018, the Braves failed to reach the postseason last year as their roster endured a range of injury problems. Franchise slugger Ronald Acuna Jr., ace pitcher Spencer Strider and reigning Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale all missed significant time with injuries.
Atlanta Braves’ $20 Million Shortstop Investment Hit With Setback
And now, shortly after the team signed Ha Seong-Kim to a one-year, $20 million contract to serve as its everyday shortstop, he suffered a freak injury and is expected to miss a large chunk of next season.
“One month after giving Ha-Seong Kim a one-year, $20 million deal, the Braves had to announce on Sunday that the shortstop will begin a second straight season on the injured list,” Mark Bowman wrote for MLB.com. “Kim injured his right middle finger when he slipped on a sheet of ice while in his native Korea.”
The Braves announced that Kim could miss as much as five months of next season as he recovers and they immediately signed veteran shortstop Jorge Mateo to join Mauricio Dubon as their primary backup options. And now they have added another depth option at the position by bringing back Luke Williams, an infielder who they cut ties with just a few months ago.
Atlanta Braves Bring Back Shortstop Luke Williams After Injury Calls For Depth
“Williams elected free agency earlier in the offseason after being cast off Atlanta’s 40-man roster, but he’s found his way back into the organization on a minor-league pact,” according to Rotowire. “The 29-year-old has managed just a .212/.270/.280 batting line covering parts of five major-league seasons, but Williams will give Atlanta some utility depth.”
Across big-league stints with the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Braves, Williams has seen time in the majors with five different teams in his five years of experience, all in the National League.
The Braves first acquired Williams in 2023 as a waiver claim and he re-signed with the team in the following offseason. He earned a big-league shot with the Braves later that year, a bit more of a look in 2024, then returned to majors with them last year as he appeared in 25 games at shortstop.
When he was outrighted last October, Williams elected free agency, but now it seems he is back with the Braves with a shot at another big-league opportunity as they search for some infield reinforcement.