Hector Olivera signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason and was then traded to the Atlanta Braves before the non-waiver deadline. The Cuban infielder will now make his MLB debut on Tuesday.
Robert Murray of Baseball Essential first reported the Braves were calling up Olivera over the weekend. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com and others confirmed the news on Tuesday. Olivera will start at third base and bat sixth behind catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
The Braves announced the move shortly after reports surfaced.
RHP Dan Burawa, INF Daniel Castro, RHP Brandon Cunniff and INF Hector Olivera were recalled from @GwinnettBraves (2 of 2)
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 1, 2015
Lineup change for tonight vs. Miami. Hector Olivera will make his major league debut at third base: pic.twitter.com/imLHYK6eKg
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 1, 2015
The Dodgers outbid the Braves for Olivera in the offseason, but then the two sides were involved in a three-team 13-player trade that sent Olivera, reliever Paco Rodriguez and the Marlins' 34th overall draft pick to Atlanta and Braves' top prospect Jose Peraza, starting pitcher Alex Wood and relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan to the Dodgers.
Atlanta essentially has Olivera under a five-year, $34.5 million deal because Los Angeles already paid him his $28 million signing bonus.
Olivera was one of the most coveted international players in the past year, along with Yasmany Tomas, Yoan Moncada and Rusney Castillo. In 35 games this season between nearly all levels of the minor leagues, Olivera, 30, is batting .272/.326/.376 with 18 runs scored, 2 home runs and 10 RBIs.
His last season of professional baseball came in 2013 when he batted .316/.412/.474 with 44 runs scored, 7 home runs and 38 RBIs in Cuba. He missed all of the 2012 season due to a rare blood disorder in his biceps, but then proved to scouts he hadn't lost a step in a number of showcases/workouts this past offseason.
Olivera has played in only 677 career games (according to Baseball-Reference) over 11 professional seasons. He'll get his first taste of MLB action tonight as the Braves hope he can remain on the field and produce for them over the next five years.
