The Braves have released first baseman Lucas Duda, Grant McAuley of Braves Radio Network tweets.
It’s an unceremonious ending to the second Braves tenure for Duda, who signed a minor-league contract with the team Aug. 5. Duda was previously a Brave in 2018, when they acquired the slugger from the Royals almost exactly one year ago (Aug. 29). While Duda was a useful bench piece for the Braves then, albeit over only 22 plate appearances, he didn’t make it back to the majors with the club this summer. The 33-year-old instead posted hideous numbers in 68 PA as a member of Triple-A Gwinnett, with which he batted .140/.235/.211.
At his best, Duda was a legitimate power threat with the Mets and Rays from 2014-17. Aside from an injury-limited 2016, he piled up at least 27 home runs in each of those seasons -- including 30-HR campaigns to bookend that four-year span. However, Duda hasn’t been anywhere near as formidable at the plate over the past couple seasons. After settling for a minors deal with the Royals in late March, the lefty-swinging Duda stumbled to a .171/.252/.324 line with four homers in 119 PA before they released him July 29.
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