ATLANTA — Bryan De La Cruz and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year contract paying $860,000 while in the major leagues and $180,000 while in the minors, giving Atlanta another outfield option while Ronald Acuña Jr. recovers from knee surgery.
De La Cruz became a free agent on Nov. 22 when Pittsburgh failed to offer a contract for 2025. Atlanta announced his agreement Sunday.
De La Cruz, who turned 28 on Monday, made his big league debut with Miami on July 31, 2021, and was traded to the Pirates last July 30. He hit .233 with 21 homers and 68 RBIs in 149 games this year, including .200 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 44 games with the Pirates.
Over parts of four major league seasons, De La Cruz has a .253 average with 58 homers and 208 RBIs.
Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, tore his left ACL on May 26 and is not expected to return by opening day.
