WASHINGTON – As Cavan Biggio watched the TV in the clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon, he might have felt a little surreal.

Shortly before, he had just stepped into his third major league clubhouse in just four months, now wearing an Atlanta Braves uniform. Previously, he had played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Sacramento RiverCats, the Class AAA team for the San Francisco Giants, since the summer started.

The TV screen showed the Blue Jays, the only team he had known since they drafted him in 2016, facing off against the New York Mets. With the quick whirlwind of events since the Giants traded him to Atlanta and the Braves called him up, he would see that the Mets and Braves were both in a tight race for the final wild-card spot in the National League.

This was a strange situation: the team that had let him go in June after he struggled to a .197 batting average was now in the position where he could contribute to their efforts, having only just joined them.

As the Braves strive for their seventh straight playoff spot, stories like Biggio’s are common in the clubhouse. The team has been heavily affected by injuries, with All-Stars Austin Riley (third base), Ozzie Albies (second base), and reigning MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. (right field) sidelined for extended periods, Acuña’s torn ACL meaning he won’t be back until 2025.

Center fielder Michael Harris Jr. has only just returned after missing 52 games due to a hamstring injury. The pitching rotation has lost three starters to the injured list, with ace Spencer Strider out until 2025 after just one game.

Heading into Thursday, the Braves were just one game behind the Mets for the last wild-card spot. They could rely on their playoff experience and past success as they compete against the Mets, while seemingly surrendering their six-year hold on the NL East to Philadelphia.

However, the team is still in the process of getting to know one another.

“If we had our full roster, that would definitely help,” manager Brian Snitker admitted. “But right now, we’re dealing with a different situation.”

Just how different is it?

In Wednesday’s lineup, four players had joined the team from other organizations this season, three of them – Biggio, outfielder Ramón Laureano, and third baseman Gio Urshela – were obtained through waivers or trades in a quieter September move.

Biggio won’t be eligible for the postseason. He might not even stay on the roster until the weekend, when another recently acquired player, utilityman Whit Merrifield, is expected to return from injury. Or he could end up making significant contributions during the crucial final games.

For now, this is the current situation for both the Braves – who are actively “piecing things together,” as noted by Snitker – and for players looking to capitalize on their opportunities.

Understand Your Purpose

“This is what you play for,” Biggio said. Being the son of former Houston Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, and with six seasons in Toronto under his belt, he added, “This is the most thrilling time of the year in baseball. I’ve always admired this team, especially because I watched my dad play against them and didn’t have much success.”

“Joining such a respected organization during this critical time means the world to me. I’m incredibly thankful for each opportunity I’ve received and will keep striving to support this team.”

Being wanted by a team is certainly reassuring. Biggio’s swift departure from Toronto was eased by being picked up by the NL-leading Los Angeles Dodgers after the Blue Jays designated him for assignment back in June. Laureano was let go by the Cleveland Guardians, while Urshela was released by Detroit after serving as a veteran presence for a rookie at third base.

Despite their recent departures, the timing of their acquisitions turned out to be fortunate.

Laureano was released on May 25; the next day, Acuña suffered his ACL injury on a baserunning incident in Pittsburgh. Just three days later, Laureano joined the Braves.

Similarly, on August 18, the same day Riley broke his right hand, Urshela was also released by the Tigers.

“Welcome to Atlanta, Gio.”

“Everyone who has come to our team has been fantastic,” said first baseman Matt Olson, who has come back strong from a challenging first half, hitting 12 homers in the last 44 games. “Biggio and Laureano weren’t getting the regular playing time they needed, and it’s crazy how opportunities can turn up. Ramon has been a huge asset for us, and Biggio has been around the game for a while.”

“Our clubhouse is filled with players who have postseason experience, who’ve faced tight competition, and know how to manage the pressure and stay focused on the game night after night. That’s a big advantage for us.”

Recently, Laureano has stood out, with 34 hits in his last 100 at-bats. With Harris back in center, they provide Atlanta with an impressive defensive lineup in two of the three outfield positions, with Jorge Soler – acquired at the trade deadline – in right.

He was aware of the high expectations in Atlanta.

“Absolutely,” Laureano stated, noting his past connections with former Oakland teammates Olson and catcher Sean Murphy. “We’re conscious of the circumstances with the injuries and changes in the roster. But we believe in our depth and talent, and that we have what it takes to go far.”

“This is the reason you play – to engage in significant matches in late September. It’s your chance to present yourself and demonstrate who you are. This month shapes your identity as both an individual and a player.”

Snitker values the dedication of the transformed players brought in for this task, who require minimal persuasion.

“All those guys have really excelled in keeping us in the spotlight,” Snitker acknowledges. “That’s crucial – they are skilled makeup artists and passionate ballplayers. They recognize the opportunity here and find it appealing.”

“Players who have competed against us over the years often express a desire to join us because they admire what they see from the other side of the field.”

‘Time to enjoy it’

But will this be sufficient? Albies is still having trouble hitting; Riley is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. Starter Reynaldo Lopez has been placed on the injured list as of Wednesday due to shoulder inflammation.

The thin margin makes frustrating moments like Wednesday’s game even harder to swallow, as the Washington Nationals broke a scoreless game with three hits off Max Fried in the third inning, with speeds ranging from 61 to 89 mph off the bat. The Braves suffered a 5-1 defeat, returning home with a record of 79-67, a game behind the Mets, with a challenging four-game series against the strong Dodgers approaching.

An upcoming six-game series against the Reds and Marlins is on the horizon before a three-game showdown against the Mets starting September 24 at home.

Since 2017, the Braves haven’t missed the playoffs; that was Snitker’s second season, and he earned the NL Manager of the Year award the following year, becoming accustomed to late Octobers.

Now surrounded by newcomers, Snitker hopes that this bold approach will benefit the Braves as they head into the final stretch.

“What I’ve learned from being in this position is to simply enjoy it,” says Biggio, whose teams in Toronto have reached the playoffs for the last two seasons and narrowly missed out another time. “Playing alongside George Springer the past few years has been enlightening; he has had significant postseason success. His main advice was: You play to reach this point in the year, this moment.”

“Now’s the time to enjoy it and have fun.”

For however long it may last.