The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with free agent utility player Whit Merrifield.

Sources from ESPN, The Athletic, and the New York Post reported the deal on Monday. Merrifield’s contract includes a club option for $8 million in 2025, with a $1 million buyout.

Merrifield, released by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 12, has hit .199 with three home runs, 11 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in his first 53 games this season.

The three-time All-Star hit .272 with 11 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases last season for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Merrifield, 35, has a career batting average of .281. He has also hit 93 home runs and totaled 212 steals in his first nine seasons.

He led MLB in hits in 2018 and 2019 while with the Kansas City Royals. He also led the American League in steals three times and led MLB with a career-best 45 steals in 2018.

The Merrifield agreement follows the Braves’ announcement that All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has a left wrist fracture and is expected to miss eight weeks.

The Braves (54-44) are in second place in the National League East, 8 1/2 games behind the division-leading Phillies (63-36). They currently lead the National League wild card race along with the San Diego Padres (52-50).

The Braves will host the Cincinnati Reds (47-53) at 7:20 p.m. EDT Monday in Atlanta.