The Atlanta Braves are sitting pretty with the best record in baseball, but roster decisions are looming as key players return from injury. One infielder's time in Atlanta could be running out.

Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is nearing his return from a torn tendon in his middle finger, and his comeback could shake up the Braves' infield depth. When the Braves signed former New York Yankees prospect Jorge Mateo for $1 million last offseason, they knew they needed insurance for Kim's absence. Now, with Kim set to return within the next week or so, Mateo's future with the club is uncertain.

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller raised the question: "What use will they have for Mateo once Ha-Seong Kim makes it back from the IL?" The Braves could consider trading the more expensive Mauricio Dubón ($6.1 million), but Dubón's defensive versatility makes him a tougher piece to move. Mateo, on the other hand, has been a solid fill-in, hitting .271/.300/.438 with two home runs and four stolen bases in five attempts.

Here's where things get interesting for baseball history buffs: Back in 2016, Mateo was ranked as the Yankees' No. 1 prospect on MLB Pipeline—ahead of Aaron Judge. Judge was close behind at No. 2, but it's fascinating to see how their careers have diverged since. While Judge has become a generational superstar and MVP, Mateo has carved out a solid career, spending five seasons with the Baltimore Orioles after a trade from the San Diego Padres.

Now, at 30 years old, Mateo could be on the move again once Kim returns. His combination of speed and contact hitting makes him an attractive trade chip for contending teams looking for infield depth. For Braves fans, it's a reminder that even the best teams have tough decisions to make—and sometimes, a player who once outranked Aaron Judge on a prospect list becomes the odd man out.