The Braves sought to strengthen their bench before the waiver deadline. They did so Wednesday in adding slugger Lucas Duda.
Hours after the team received catcher Rene Rivera off waivers, it acquired Duda from the Royals for cash considerations, the Royals announced. Duda, 32, was just what the Braves were looking for.
Duda has slashed .242/.311/.415 over 86 games. His splits are drastic, as he's hitting just .180 against lefties. The Braves, who needed bench offense given Adam Duvall's disappointing lack of production, are adding .267 with an .814 OPS against right-handers to their bench.
Of Duda's 74 hits, 58 have come against righties, as have 11 of his 13 homers and 11 of his 12 doubles. Thirty-four of his 48 RBIs are against right-handers.
The Braves will hope Duvall can round back into form, theoretically giving them two power bats off the bench. Duvall is 4-for-33 with no homers or RBIs in 20 games with the Braves.
