Luke Williams - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Outrighted to Triple-A Williams cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Impact Williams was battling for a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day bench in spring training, but he ultimately missed the cut after going 5-for-32 with three RBI and five runs scored in 16 games. He doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so his demotion to Triple-A will cost him his spot on the 40-man roster, which only makes it that much harder for him to work his way back into the big leagues.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Braves add to outfield depth by signing veteran Alex Verdugo to $1.5 million, 1-year deal

The Atlanta Braves bolstered their outfield depth by signing Alex Verdugo to a $1.5 million, one-year contract and optioning him to Triple-A Gwinnett

MARCH 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Heading back to minors Atlanta optioned Williams to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Impact Williams had been filling in at second base for the injured Whit Merrifield (foot) but didn't do much at the plate with a .581 OPS in seven contests. He's being replaced on the roster by Cavan Biggio, whose contract was selected Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Filling in for Merrifield Williams will start at second base and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Reds.

Impact With Whit Merrifield (foot) likely out until the weekend, Williams should be in store for a look as Atlanta's primary second baseman. Williams will pick up his fifth start in six contests after opening September with a .231 average, two stolen bases, two RBI and one run over 13 at-bats.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Records two hits, swipes bag Williams went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's loss to Toronto.

Impact Williams reached on an infield single in the bottom of the third before going on to swipe his second bag of the campaign. The infielder would later add a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth, while also being charged with two costly fielding errors in the contest. The two hits were Williams' first this month and it marked only his second multi-hit performance on the season. He's now batting .167 (2-for-12) in September with two RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Making rare start Williams will start at third base and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Impact Williams will enter Atlanta's lineup for just the second time since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on July 23. He's spelling Gio Urshela, who should be locked into a near-everyday role at third base while Atlanta waits for Austin Riley (hand) to return from the 10-day injured list.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Atlanta recalled Williams from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Impact Williams is taking the roster spot vacated by Austin Riley, who was placed on the paternity list. He could see some reps in the infield while Riley is away but is likely to be sent back down when the latter returns later this week.

JULY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to minors Atlanta optioned Williams to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Impact The super-utility player was called up from Gwinnett on June 25, but he appeared in just five games over his two weeks with the big club, logging seven at-bats in total. Atlanta opted to replace Williams on the 26-man active roster with Eddie Rosario, who could settle into a regular role in the outfield while Michael Harris (hamstring) is on the injured list.

JULY 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to minor-league camp Atlanta reassigned Williams to minor-league camp Monday.

Impact He was sent to minor-league camp Monday along with David Fletcher, Andrew Velazquez and Eli White, with their demotions suggesting that Forrest Wall has won the final available bench spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Williams slashed .125/.200/.250 over 17 games during Grapefruit League play.

MARCH 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Gwinnett Atlanta recalled Williams from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Impact Williams was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers in early June and has since slashed .251/.343/.396 with six homers and 17 steals in 48 games for Gwinnett. The versatile 27-year-old figures to operate in a super-utility and pinch-running role with the NL East leaders.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David O'Brien: Braves claimed utility INF Luke Williams off... - The Athletic Braves claimed utility INF Luke Williams off waivers from the Dodgers and optioned him. He hit .234 with a .598 OPS in 254 PAs over 3 season...

JUNE 5, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Braves claim INF Luke Williams; Max Fried to 60-day IL The Atlanta Braves transferred LHP Max Fried to the 60-day IL on Monday as infielder Luke Williams was claimed off waivers from the Los Ange...

JUNE 5, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Joins new organization Atlanta claimed Williams off waivers from the Dodgers on Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Impact In order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for the 26-year-old utility man, Atlanta shifted Max Fried (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL. Williams appeared in four games for the Dodgers in April but has otherwise spent the entire 2023 campaign at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he slashed .262/.339/.446 with six home runs and 11 stolen bases across 198 plate appearances.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to Triple-A Williams was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers on Friday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Impact The move clears room on the roster for Max Muncy after Muncy came off the paternity list Friday. Williams will head back to Oklahoma City and he'll likely be an up-and-down option for the Dodgers for the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

APRIL 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench role Williams is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Impact He made three consecutive starts at shortstop last week after Miguel Rojas (hamstring) landed on the injured list, but Williams has since moved back to a utility role after Mookie Betts was reinstated from the paternity list Thursday and after Chris Taylor overcame a side injury. Williams will be on the bench for the third straight contest.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contract selected by LAD Williams had his contract selected by the Dodgers on Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Impact Williams is now on the 40-man roster and will fill the spot on the 26-man roster left vacant by Mookie Betts, who has been placed on the paternity leave list. Williams is not in the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Mets and could be in for a brief stay in the bigs.

APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Signs MiLB deal Williams signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers on Friday.

Impact Williams was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers back in November and will remain in the Los Angeles system. The 26-year-old utility man recorded a .883 OPS through 58 plate appearances in Triple-A last year but just a .602 mark in 136 PAs split between the Giants and Marlins.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down Thursday Williams was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Williams saw minimal playing time for the Marlins in recent weeks, starting just three games since the start of September. He'll lose his spot on the active roster after Joey Wendle (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Playing time picks up Williams will start at second base and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Padres, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Williams will make his fourth start in five games Tuesday, but his inclusion in the lineup is likely a byproduct of southpaw Sean Manaea taking the hill for Miami. Even though his opportunities have picked up of late, the righty-hitting Williams may have a tough time finding regular starts against right-handed pitching following the recent returns of Jon Berti and Brian Anderson from the injured list.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Steals three bases Williams went 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored and three stolen bases in a 3-0 win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Impact Williams had a perfect night at the plate and on the basepaths, rapping out three hits and making three successful steal attempts. He took advantage of Mike Minor's low velocity, and none of the throws from Reds catcher Michael Papierski were even close to getting him out. The performance gives Williams nine steals on the season to go along with a slash line of .269/.347/.358 in 49 games played. The speedy backup infielder has shown he has the potential to steal bases in bunches but he remains behind call-up Charles Leblanc on the depth chart.

AUGUST 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moves back into reserve role Williams is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact After starting five consecutive games to begin last week while going 2-for-16 with two walks, a stolen base and three runs, Williams now finds himself on the bench for the fourth consecutive contest. The 25-year-old looks set to fill a utility role for the time being while the Marlins give new call-up Charles Leblanc a look as their everyday third baseman.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from minors The Marlins recalled Williams from Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Williams was optioned to Triple-A two days ago, but he's eligible to rejoin the big club after the Marlins moved Jazz Chisholm (back) to the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Jon Berti is expected to step in for Chisholm as the Marlins' everyday second baseman, while the versatile Williams handles a utility role. Don't expect Williams to see more than a start or two per week, with most of his opportunities likely to come against left-handed pitching.

JUNE 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Williams was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Williams rejoined the major-league roster at the beginning of June and hit .226 with a double, six runs, an RBI and three stolen base over 21 games during his time with the Marlins. However, he'll head back to the minors after Brian Anderson (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Monday.

JUNE 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Added to Friday's lineup Williams was added to the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 25-year-old didn't start in any of the last three games, but he'll take over at third base and bat ninth after Miguel Rojas (foot) was scratched from Friday's lineup. Over 18 games since joining the Marlins, Williams has hit .200 with a double, six runs, an RBI and three stolen bases.

JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs steal as pinch runner Williams notched a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Mets.

Impact Williams ran for Garrett Cooper after the latter's RBI single in the ninth inning. He was able to get into scoring position, but Williams was left on base as the Marlins' rally fell short. The 25-year-old utility man is up to three steals in four attempts while adding four RBI, six runs scored and a pair of doubles in 32 plate appearances between the Marlins and the Giants this season. He has yet to carve out a regular role, instead mainly serving as a defensive replacement.

JUNE 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Braves add to outfield depth by signing veteran Alex Verdugo to $1.5 million, 1-year deal