NASHVILLE -- Willie Harris' career with the Braves may have come to a close. The versatile veteran was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for the two players the Braves acquired from the Cubs on Tuesday.
Harris was signed out of Kennesaw State by Lamar North (Rossville. Ga.) who was then a scout with the Baltimore Orioles.
Once they acquired left-handed reliever Will Ohman and utility infielder Omar Infante from the Cubs in exchange for Jose Ascanio, the Braves notified Harris that he'd been designated. If he's not traded or claimed off waivers by another team in the next 10 days, there's a possibility that he could remain in the Atlanta system.
Harris became a fan favorite after being promoted to Atlanta from Triple-A Richmond on April 30. In his first 45 games with the Braves, the 28-year-old veteran hit .383 with a .440 on-base percentage. But in his final 71 games, he hit .204 with a .297 on-base percentage.
Because of his late-season struggles and the possibility that Brandon Jones will be ready to assume the left-field platoon duties with Matt Diaz, Harris became expendable. There is also a chance that Diaz will be given the chance to play left field on an everyday basis.
Over the course of the past two seasons, the right-handed-hitting Diaz has compiled a .333 batting average. This past season, he hit .318 against right-handed pitchers and .356 against left-handers.
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Adapted from MLB.com
Harris played part-time left field.
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt (file photo)