By: Nick Roark
Atlanta Braves second baseman and former Tennessee Smoky Dan Uggla has been left off the team’s 25-man NLDS roster, the Braves announced Wednesday afternoon. Uggla, who hit .179 with 22 home runs this season, underwent Lasik surgery in August to repair his vision but has yet to return to All-Star form.
The three-time All-Star has batted just .133 with one home run and a .508 OPS in 77 plate appearances since returning to the Braves’ lineup on Aug. 28.
Wednesday’s roster announcement is just the latest hiccup in a grueling 2013 season for the 33-year-old, who is in year three of a five-year contract worth $62 million. Uggla drew the club’s highest salary in 2013 ($13 million) and will collect the same amount in the next two seasons.
Selected in the 11th round of the 2001 MLB Draft by Arizona, Uggla spent the 2005 season with Tennessee, posting a .297 batting average to go along with 21 home runs, 87 RBIs and an .880 OPS. The Smokies’ infielder was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 2005 Rule 5 Draft and made his Major League debut in April of 2006. Uggla earned his first All-Star nod and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting by hitting .282 with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs.
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