BREAKING: Braves to option Braden Shewmake, Vaughn Grissom to AAA Gwinnett

So, neither player is going to be the Opening Day shortstop, opening the door for Orlando Arcia

Lindsay Crosby | Mar 20, 2023

In a surprising turn of events, news leaked on Monday night that the Atlanta Braves would be optioning both members of the shortstop position battle, Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake, to AAA Gwinnett according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

The Braves will option both Braden Shewmake and Vaughn Grissom to Triple-A Gwinnett
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 20, 2023

This move obviously complicates things for the Atlanta Braves - the shortstop battle was reported just days ago to be down to the two young shortstops, with Grissom believed to enter spring training as the frontrunner but Shewmake inserting himself into the position battle with a strong spring at the plate.

As of now, the shortstop position looks to be left for Orlando Arcia, the only member of the trio to have played shortstop at the Major League level. Arcia, who debuted back in 2016 with the Milwaukee Brewers, has started 476 games at short over seven seasons in the majors but hadn't spent more than 24 innings at the position since the Braves acquired him from Milwaukee in April 2021 for pitchers Patrick Weigel and Chad Sobotka.

For his career, Arcia has batted .243/.295/.369 with 53 HRs over seven seasons in the bigs, split between Milwaukee and Atlanta.

It's entirely possible there's a transaction incoming for Atlanta, as well, with GM Alex Anthopoulos known for his ability (and willingness) to go out and improve the roster via trade.

UPDATE: Other roster moves have been made as well:

The Braves today optioned RHP Nick Anderson, INF Vaughn Grissom, INF Braden Shewmake, OF Jordan Luplow and OF Eli White to Triple-A Gwinnett, & reassigned LHP Danny Young, C Ryan Casteel, C Joe Hudson and INF Yolmer Sánchez to minor league camp. Atlanta now has 32 players in camp
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 20, 2023