Atlanta Braves News

Alex Verdugo  • LF  •  Braves  |  Bryan De La Cruz  • LF  •  Braves

Alex Verdugo Promoted, Bryan De La Cruz Optioned

The Atlanta Braves have recalled outfielder Alex Verdugo from Triple-A Gwinnett. In a corresponding move, the Braves have optioned outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to Triple-A. The Braves inked Verdugo to a minor-league contract earlier in the spring, and he will now make his Atlanta debut. During the first nine games of the Triple-A regular season, Verdugo held a .207/.303/.448 slash line with two long balls. Verdugo had a disappointing campaign in the Bronx last season as he held a .233/.291/.356 line with 13 long balls, which was a stark decline from the .264/.323/.431 line he held during the 2023 campaign. De La Cruz tallied just one extra-base hit during the first 16 games of the MLB season and will look to turn the corner at Triple-A. Verdugo should see ample opportunities in the starting nine with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) still sidelined.
5 hours ago   
Spencer Strider  • SP  •  Braves

Spencer Strider Takes Loss In 2025 Debut

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider took the mound in a big league game for the first time since last April. The right-hander looked solid as he struck out five batters, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings of work. Strider surprisingly came out for the sixth inning, but was quickly pulled from the contest after running into some trouble. Fantasy managers didn't get great results from Strider, but he might need a few starts to shake off some rust. His next start will come against the St. Louis Cardinals next week. Strider is a must-start going forward considering he's one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.
21 hours ago   
Drake Baldwin  • C  •  Braves

Drake Baldwin Launches First Career Home Run

Atlanta Braves catching prospect Drake Baldwin went 1-for-4 with a home run during Wednesday's loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. This was Baldwin's first career MLB home run. He would hit the home run off Toronto closer Jeff Hoffman in the ninth inning. Baldwin opened the season as the team's primary backstop with Sean Murphy (rib) on the injured list. However, with Murphy back in action, Baldwin has fallen back to the No. 2 spot. Despite his limited playing time as of late, the 24-year-old has been heating up at the plate. Entering Wednesday's game, Baldwin held a strong .400/.471/.533 slash line over his last four contests. Fantasy managers in two-catcher formats should continue to hold the Missouri State product as he will still hold value given his emerging bat.
23 hours ago   
Spencer Strider  • SP  •  Braves

Spencer Strider Activated From Injured List, Making Season Debut On Wednesday

The Atlanta Braves officially activated right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, and he will make his 2025 season debut in Toronto against the Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the team optioned right-hander Zach Thompson to Triple-A Gwinnett. While Strider will be a bit more risky in DFS lineups in his season debut, fantasy managers in single-year leagues will want to get him back into their starting lineups immediately after how dominant he was during his minor-league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old got up to 90 pitches in his final rehab start and will make his return to Atlanta's starting rotation just over a year after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. In his 13 2/3 innings at Gwinnett, Strider struck out 27, walked five and allowed just two runs. He proved in 2023 that he's a fantasy ace when he's healthy.
Yesterday   
Ronald Acuña Jr.  • RF  •  Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Cleared To Begin Ramping Up Baseball Activity

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano reports that Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) has been cleared to ramp up his baseball activity and begin progressing toward a minor-league rehab assignment. There remains no firm timetable for when Acuna might make his 2025 debut, but he appears to be on a scheduled to return at some point in the next month, as previously thought. The 27-year-old is recovering from surgery to fix a torn ACL in his left knee last year and won't be available to fantasy managers until May. Acuna has been hitting for a while now, but he will now ramp up his running program Until he's able to return, Jarred Kelenic will continue to see the majority of starts in right field for Atlanta. Acuna, a former MVP, has the ability to be a fantasy difference-maker when he's healthy, so he should be rostered in all fantasy leagues.
2 days ago   
Marcell Ozuna  • DH  •  Braves

Marcell Ozuna Sent To Atlanta For MRI Exam

The Atlanta Braves sent outfielder Marcell Ozuna (hip) back to Atlanta on Monday for an exploratory MRI exam on his injured hip, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. The MRI showed inflammation but nothing serious, and Ozuna is considered day-to-day. While it seems that the 34-year-old veteran slugger has avoided a serious injury, he's expected to miss the entire three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Atlanta has the day off on Thursday before returning home on Friday to start a weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. Fantasy managers will want to check back then to see if Ozuna is feeling good enough to return to the starting lineup. With Ozuna out on Monday, Bryan De La Cruz served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the 8-4 victory.
2 days ago   
Grant Holmes  • SP  •  Braves

Grant Holmes Pitches Into Eighth Inning In Quality Start

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes picked up his first win of the season on Monday, pitching 7 innings of three-run ball in a 9-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Holmes allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four in this one. It was the first time this season that Holmes went even five innings, and after back-to-back starts with four walks, he showcased much-improved control. The 29-year-old has shown flashes of ability in the past, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him emerge as a decent fantasy option. For now, however, he remains just a streamer and deep-league option.
2 days ago   
Austin Riley  • 3B  •  Braves

Austin Riley Homers Twice, Plates Five Monday

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley continued to get things going offensively in Monday's 8-4 win over the Blue Jays. Riley went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a three-run HR. The 28-year-old crushed a third-inning Easton Lucas fastball over the center-field wall to score two and obliterated a fifth-inning Lucas slider deep into the center-field seats to score three. After collecting just two hits in March, Riley has looked like his old self and is now slashing .288/.329/.530 with four HR and 11 RBI in 70 plate appearances. Hopefully, he can help drive a turnaround for a Braves' lineup that is still struggling overall.
2 days ago   
Marcell Ozuna  • DH  •  Braves

Marcell Ozuna Out With Minor Leg Injury

Atlanta Braves outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (leg) is out of the team's starting lineup on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Center due to a minor leg injury. However, manager Brian Snitker isn't too concerned. Bryan De La Cruz will serve as the designated hitter and will bat fifth against Blue Jays left-hander Easton Lucas for the series opener. It's good news that Ozuna's injury doesn't sound very serious, but fantasy managers will need to pull him from their lineups on Monday and check back to see if he's available to play in Game 2 of the series in Canada on Tuesday. The 28-year-old De La Cruz should be avoided in DFS lineups for Monday's slate because of his slow start in 2025. The Dominican outfielder has gone just 8-for-39 (.205) with no home runs, a stolen base and 16 strikeouts in his 42 plate appearances over 13 games.
3 days ago   
Alex Verdugo  • LF  •  Braves

Alex Verdugo Expected To Join Braves This Week

The Athletic's David O'Brien writes that all signs point to outfielder Alex Verdugo joining the Atlanta Braves this week after signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the team on March 20. Verdugo hit a three-run homer at Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday and was pulled two innings later, fueling speculation that he'll join the team for their series opener in Toronto against the Blue Jays on Monday. A team official said that the 28-year-old was scheduled for a light day on Sunday, though, after he played all 14 innings of a doubleheader on Saturday. If he doesn't join the Braves in Toronto, Verdugo will likely be with them against the Minnesota Twins this weekend. After missing most of spring training, Verdugo has hit .182 (4-for-22) with a double, two homers, four RBI and a .700 OPS with Gwinnett. When he joins Atlanta, he could see regular playing time with both Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz struggling.
3 days ago   
Chris Sale  • SP  •  Braves

Chris Sale Frustrated With Poor Start

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale has lasted five or fewer innings and allowed three or more earned runs in each of his four starts this year, including 4 2/3 and 4 1/3 innings in his past two. Last year, he had only two starts of less than five innings. Sale has surrendered 15 hits and nine runs (eight earned) in nine innings in his last two starts. "I just hate sucking, and I'm just bad. Simple," Sale said. His average fastball velocity was 96.2 mph in his start on Sunday against the Rays -- up 3 mph from his previous season average. The reigning National League Cy Young has allowed at least three runs in each of his four starts in 2025 after giving up more than two earned runs in only three of 29 starts a year ago. The fact that Sale is healthy has made the poor start more frustrating, but it should also ease the minds of fantasy managers that he'll turn it around sooner than later.
3 days ago   
Craig Kimbrel  • RP  •  Braves

Craig Kimbrel Gets Assigned To Double-A

According to Justin Toscano, a beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Braves right-hander Craig Kimbrel was assigned to Double-A Columbus on Monday. The Braves had signed Kimbrel to a minor-league deal, and he has spent that time ramping up at the team's complex in Florida, but he has yet to face any hitters. The assignment to Double-A suggests that Kimbrel and the Braves are taking the next step, hoping he still has something left in the tank and will help the Braves' bullpen in 2025. The 36-year-old struggled with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, but he is still considered a future Hall of Famer and respected by many in the baseball community. Fantasy managers can continue to monitor his progress, as Kimbrel could hold value as a high-leverage reliever for the Braves. Still, Raisel Iglesias will likely continue to get the save opportunities, if and when Kimbrel arrives.
3 days ago   
Orlando Arcia  • SS  •  Braves  |  Bryan De La Cruz  • LF  •  Braves

Bryan De La Cruz, Orlando Arcia Out Sunday Against Rays

Atlanta Braves outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and shortstop Orlando Arcia will both start on the bench for Sunday's series finale against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays. Eli White is starting in left field and will bat ninth, while Nick Allen is at shortstop and in the eight-hole against Rays right-handed spot starter Joe Boyle. De La Cruz has seen more playing time with Jurickson Profar suspended, but he hasn't taken advantage of it so far, going 8-for-37 (.216) with no home runs, a run scored and a stolen base. The 28-year-old went 0-for-7 with a steal and five strikeouts in the first two games of the series against the Rays. Arcia is quickly losing the starting gig at shortstop to Allen, as he's been on the bench for three of the last four games. He's gone just 5-for-24 early on with an RBI and a run scored. Neither White nor Allen have faced Boyle in their careers.
4 days ago   
AJ Smith-Shawver  • SP  •  Braves

AJ Smith-Shawver Optioned To Triple-A

The Atlanta Braves have optioned right-handed pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett. In a corresponding move, the Braves promoted right-handed pitcher Michael Petersen. Smith-Shawver was able to win a spot in the starting rotation during camp, but will head back to Triple-A to continue his development. Through his first three starts of the campaign, Smith-Shawver has logged 13 2/3 innings and posted a 4.61 ERA with a 1.98 WHIP. He has held an 8:17 BB:K with two home runs allowed. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Bryce Elder to remain in the rotation as the No. 5 option. This transaction also opens a spot for Spencer Strider (elbow), who is set to make his season debut next week. Smith-Shawver is only worth stashing in deeper NL-only formats, as he could be in the mix to return to the big leagues if Elder were to struggle.
4 days ago   
Ozzie Albies  • 2B  •  Braves

Ozzie Albies Homers Again On Saturday

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies hadn't recorded a home run since Opening Day until he took Edwin Uceta deep on Friday. Albies continued his power surge during Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was having a fairly quiet game until he blasted a solo home run off right-hander Hunter Bigge in the eighth inning. Albies would finish his day 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk, and a stolen base. Fantasy managers can be hopeful for more performances like this from Albies going forward.
4 days ago   
Michael Harris II  • CF  •  Braves

Michael Harris II Delivers Go-Ahead Blast

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II came up clutch for his team during Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Harris started out the game by singling and stealing a base. He was quiet the rest of the game until he blasted a two-run home run in the ninth inning off right-hander Cole Sulser. Harris has been off to a slow start this season, but he helped give his team the win on Saturday. Fantasy managers should keep holding him as Harris has all the potential to be a stud in fantasy baseball.
4 days ago   
Sean Murphy  • C  •  Braves

Sean Murphy Blasts Two Homers In Win

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy led his team to victory on Saturday, smashing two solo homers in a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Murphy ended the day 2-for-4 with the pair of homers, two runs scored, and two RBI. He has shown his power since his return from the IL, knocking three homers in just four games. We have seen Murphy play at a high level for fantasy before, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him become a must-start catcher again. He is worth an add in deeper leagues and possibly some standard-size leagues as well.
4 days ago   
Spencer Strider  • SP  •  Braves

Spencer Strider Tentatively Scheduled To Debut Wednesday Against Toronto

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will throw a bullpen session in Tampa on Sunday and then travel with the team to Toronto for their series against the Blue Jays next week. The Athletic's David O'Brien says that it sounds like Spencer Schwellenbach will make his next start on Tuesday on regular rest, with Strider coming off the injured list to make his season debut on Wednesday. Nothing is official yet, but Strider is primed to return to Atlanta's starting rotation after giving up two earned runs on five hits while walking five and striking out 27 in 13 2/3 frames over his three minor-league rehab starts for Triple-A Gwinnett. The 26-year-old All-Star got up to 90 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be fully stretched out for next week. He's coming off an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April, but Strider has the upside of a fantasy ace if he's right.
6 days ago   
Sean Murphy  • C  •  Braves

Sean Murphy Sitting Out On Friday

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy is absent from the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Rookie Drake Baldwin will do the catching for right-hander Bryce Elder and will hit eighth against Rays right-hander Taj Bradley. Murphy had started the three previous games, including Thursday night's extra-inning affair against the Philadelphia Phillies that finished early in the morning in Atlanta after a lengthy rain delay. After starting the 2025 season on the injured list due to a rib injury, the 30-year-old backstop has come out strong offensively, going 3-for-11 with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored. Murphy should be back in action on Saturday for the Braves. Baldwin has intriguing long-term potential behind the dish in Atlanta, but he's gotten off to a 4-for-26 start at the plate in his first seven big-league games.
6 days ago   
Aaron Bummer  • RP  •  Braves

Aaron Bummer Placed On Bereavement List

The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they placed left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer on the major-league bereavement list and recalled right-hander Zach Thompson from the minors in a corresponding move. Bummer will most likely miss the entire three-game series in St. Louis against the Cardinals, but he should be able to rejoin the team next week for their series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 31-year-old southpaw has gotten off to a bumpy start in 2025 in his second year with the team, allowing three earned runs on five hits while walking four and striking out two in five innings out of Atlanta's bullpen. Thompson, 31, will give the Braves an extra arm in their bullpen this weekend at Busch Stadium. He has not appeared in a major-league game since 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he had a 5.18 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 29 outings (22 starts) over 121 2/3 innings.
6 days ago   
LEGEND
✕