{"id":139971,"date":"2026-01-15T08:05:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T08:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971"},"modified":"2026-01-15T08:05:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T08:05:38","slug":"%f0%9f%94%a5%e2%9a%a1-just-in-vidal-brujan-claimed-by-the-twins-after-waiver-move-could-this-be-the-game-changer-the-team-needs-fans-are-already-buzzing-over-this-surprise-acquisition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed Off Waivers by Minnesota Twins: Atlanta Braves’ Infield Depth Takes a Hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Vidal<\/p>\n

In a move that affects the Atlanta Braves’<\/strong> infield depth heading into the 2026 season, Vidal Bruj\u00e1n<\/strong> was claimed off waivers today by the Minnesota Twins<\/strong>.
The 27-year-old utility man had been designated for assignment by the Braves on January 8<\/strong>, 2026, after spending part of the 2025 season with the team.
This marks another chapter in Bruj\u00e1n\u2019s tumultuous career journey, which has seen him bounce between several teams in recent seasons.<\/p>\n

From the Orioles to Atlanta and Now to Minnesota<\/h3>\n

Bruj\u00e1n\u2019s time in Atlanta was brief.
The Braves claimed him off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles<\/strong> on August 8, 2025<\/strong>, just days after he had been claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs<\/strong>.
In his short stint with Atlanta, Bruj\u00e1n appeared in 23 games<\/strong>, posting a .679 OPS<\/strong> while playing in a variety of positions.
He filled in at shortstop<\/strong>, third base<\/strong>, and right field<\/strong>, even taking the mound for two games as a pitcher. His versatility was certainly valuable, but his offensive production was limited, making it tough for him to secure a more permanent role on the team.<\/p>\n

Bruj\u00e1n\u2019s experience across multiple positions\u2014including extensive time in the infield and outfield\u2014made him a useful depth piece, but he wasn\u2019t able to break through for a regular spot in the lineup.
The Braves\u2019 decision to DFA him reflects the team\u2019s evolving needs and a shift in how they view their depth options heading into the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

A Utility Player with Extensive Experience<\/h3>\n

Since making his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong> in 2021, Vidal Bruj\u00e1n<\/strong> has established himself as a light-hitting utility man<\/strong>.
Though his bat hasn\u2019t been able to produce at an above-average level, his defensive versatility has allowed him to carve out a niche in MLB.
Bruj\u00e1n has played nearly every position on the field, except for catcher<\/strong>, giving him the ability to fill in wherever needed.
This type of flexibility is a highly valued asset for teams looking for players who can handle multiple roles without requiring an everyday spot.<\/p>\n

Despite his defensive utility, Bruj\u00e1n\u2019s struggles with offensive consistency have likely prevented him from securing a regular role on any team.
With the Minnesota Twins<\/strong> now claiming him, Bruj\u00e1n will look to further prove his value, though his future role remains uncertain, given his offensive limitations.<\/p>\n

Impact on the Braves\u2019 Infield Depth<\/h3>\n

Bruj\u00e1n\u2019s departure leaves a gap in the Braves\u2019<\/strong> infield depth, though the team remains well-stocked in key areas.
The Braves\u2019 starting infield<\/strong> is largely set, with Matt Olson<\/strong> at first base, Ozzie Albies<\/strong> at second, Ha-Seong Kim<\/strong> at shortstop, and Austin Riley<\/strong> at third base.
However, the Braves have been building a deep roster of utility players and bench options, and Bruj\u00e1n\u2019s absence may force them to adjust their plans for 2026.
With the addition of Mauricio Dub\u00f3n<\/strong>, a two-time Gold Glove winner<\/strong>, the Braves have solidified their middle infield defense, but Dub\u00f3n will likely be the only established middle infielder guaranteed a spot on the 26-man roster.<\/p>\n

Outfielder Eli White<\/strong> has some infield experience, having spent time at second base during Spring Training<\/strong> last season, and could serve as an emergency option should injuries arise.
Similarly, Jurickson Profar<\/strong>, once a highly regarded prospect known for his infield abilities, has not played in the infield regularly in several years.
Despite his extensive MLB experience, Profar\u2019s defensive struggles in recent seasons have likely diminished his ability to contribute as an infield option.
While Bruj\u00e1n and fellow DFA candidate Brett Wisely<\/strong> may not figure into the Braves\u2019 immediate plans, both were once considered viable options for the team\u2019s final bench spot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Gwinnett Braves and Prospects in the Mix<\/h3>\n

As the Braves<\/strong> move forward into Spring Training, the Gwinnett Stripers<\/strong>\u2014the Braves\u2019 Triple-A affiliate\u2014will provide some of the team\u2019s infield depth<\/strong> for the 2026 season.
Players such as Nacho Alvarez Jr.<\/strong>, Jim Jarvis<\/strong>, Aaron Schunk<\/strong>, and Luke Waddell<\/strong> will all have the opportunity to show what they can do during the upcoming season.
However, none of these players have previous MLB experience<\/strong>, so they will need to prove themselves in Spring Training<\/strong> if they are to compete for a spot on the Braves\u2019 active roster.
At this point, Alvarez<\/strong> is likely to need regular playing time in Gwinnett, but he remains an option should an injury arise.<\/p>\n

\"Twins<\/p>\n

While the Braves\u2019 top prospects have already been making noise in the minor leagues, it is likely that they will look to add more experienced depth to the roster.
Given the current gaps in the infield depth, the Braves could target players with middle infield experience<\/strong> during Spring Training<\/strong> to round out the competition.
Luke Williams<\/strong>, a former Braves infielder, outfielder, and pitcher, remains a free agent<\/strong> and could potentially be brought in on a minor league deal<\/strong> to provide additional flexibility and depth.
Williams\u2019 ability to play multiple positions and his previous experience with the Braves could make him a valuable addition to their Spring Training camp.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next for the Braves?<\/h3>\n

As Spring Training 2026<\/strong> approaches, the Braves will continue to evaluate their depth options and make adjustments where necessary.
With Bruj\u00e1n<\/strong> no longer in the picture, the Braves will look to their minor league system to provide the next wave of infield talent.
However, the team\u2019s top priority will likely be making sure they have adequate depth<\/strong> behind their key infielders in case of injury or performance issues.
The Braves will also keep a close eye on any potential free-agent additions<\/strong> or trade opportunities<\/strong> that could add more middle infield depth to the roster.<\/p>\n

Despite Bruj\u00e1n\u2019s departure, the Braves remain in a strong position heading into the 2026 season.
Their starting lineup is stacked, their pitching staff is solid, and they have a mix of veterans and rising stars that should keep them competitive in the National League.
With Spring Training just around the corner, the team\u2019s depth, versatility, and ability to adapt will be put to the test as they prepare for another exciting season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed Off Waivers by Minnesota Twins: Atlanta Braves’ Infield Depth Takes a Hit In a move that affects the Atlanta Braves’ infield depth heading into… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":139976,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-139971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition! - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition! - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed Off Waivers by Minnesota Twins: Atlanta Braves’ Infield Depth Takes a Hit In a move that affects the Atlanta Braves’ infield depth heading into...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-15T08:05:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/avtnew-75-2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MrThanh\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MrThanh\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971\",\"name\":\"\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition! - NEWS USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/avtnew-75-2.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-15T08:05:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-15T08:05:38+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/avtnew-75-2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/avtnew-75-2.jpg\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition!\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"NEWS USA\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec\",\"name\":\"MrThanh\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MrThanh\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=6\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition! - NEWS USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition! - NEWS USA","og_description":"Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed Off Waivers by Minnesota Twins: Atlanta Braves’ Infield Depth Takes a Hit In a move that affects the Atlanta Braves’ infield depth heading into...","og_url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971","og_site_name":"NEWS USA","article_published_time":"2026-01-15T08:05:38+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/avtnew-75-2.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"MrThanh","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MrThanh","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971","name":"\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition! - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/avtnew-75-2.jpg","datePublished":"2026-01-15T08:05:38+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-15T08:05:38+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/avtnew-75-2.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/avtnew-75-2.jpg","width":1080,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=139971#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\ud83d\udd25\u26a1 JUST IN: Vidal Bruj\u00e1n Claimed by the Twins After Waiver Move\u2014Could This Be the Game-Changer the Team Needs? Fans are already buzzing over this surprise acquisition!"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec","name":"MrThanh","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MrThanh"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=6"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=139971"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139978,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139971\/revisions\/139978"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/139976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=139971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=139971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=139971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}