All indications as of now are that Atlanta still expects the 29 year-old to serve as the backup infielder, but the move allows Atlanta more flexibility with acquiring players in either trades or free agency.

Fletcher, acquired late last week in a move to send 1B Evan White’s salary to the Los Angeles Angels, will cost a combined $12.5M over the next two seasons plus a $1.5M 2026 buyout of the first of two club options.

(Were Atlanta to decide to keep him for his age 32 season, he’d cost $8M for 2026, with the second option coming in at $8.5M and holding the same $1.5M buyout figure).

Fletcher’s last season as a full-time starter came in 2021, where he batted .262/.297/.324 over 157 games at both 2nd and 3rd. He played in only 61 major league games in 2022 amidst multiple injured list stretches for hand and hip injuries and just 33 in 2023, spending most of the season either behind prospect SS Zach Neto or in AAA Salt Lake.