Atlanta Braves News

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Chris Sale • SP • Braves

Chris Sale Strikes Out Nine in 2026 Postseason Debut

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale put together his usual strong performance in his team's 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing four hits, a walk, and three earned runs while striking out nine across 6 1/3 innings of work. Sale exited the game in the seventh inning, having only surrendered one run, but Braves right-hander Didier Fuentes allowed both inherited runners to score and briefly put Sale on the hook for the loss. Sale was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026, recording a 14-9 record with a 2.16 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 200 strikeouts across 162 2/3 innings (27 starts). The 37-year-old's average fastball velocity of 96.2 miles per hour was the best of his career, and he posted an elite 26.1% strikeout rate. Atlanta's rotation depth behind Sale is questionable, so the veteran lefty will likely need to continue his dominance into the postseason for the Braves to make a deep playoff run.

9 hours ago

Austin Riley • 3B • Braves

Austin Riley Powers Braves to Game 1 Victory with Late Home Run

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley was the hero of his team's 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, hitting a go-ahead three-run home run off of Phillies closer Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning. It was Riley's lone hit in three plate appearances on Tuesday, but it obviously came at a key time for Atlanta. The 29-year-old battled through a frustrating year at the plate in 2026, hitting .219/.290/.364 with 19 home runs, 72 RBI, 64 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across 630 plate appearances. Riley's 31.9% strikeout rate was his worst since his rookie season in 2019. However, the righty slugger still maintained a solid 12.4% barrel rate during the regular season. If he can unlock some of his power in October, Riley could be an impact bat for the Braves in the postseason.

9 hours ago

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Heating Up Entering the Postseason

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II put together a resurgent season in 2026, hitting .294/.321/.491 with 26 home runs, 87 RBI, 79 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 621 plate appearances. The 25-year-old remains one of the most aggressive hitters in baseball, logging just a 3.7% walk rate this year. However, Harris II's contact quality remains strong, as he posted a 10.3% barrel rate and a 47.6% hard-hit rate. Harris II also enters the postseason running hot, recording seven hits across his final 13 plate appearances of the regular season. If Harris II can continue his recent success in the playoffs, he could be one of the key players in Atlanta's National League Wild Card Series matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies.

2 days ago

Austin Riley • 3B • Braves

Austin Riley Has Been a Disappointment for Fantasy Managers in 2026

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley has had a disappointing year in 2026, hitting .223/.294/.371 with 19 home runs, 72 RBI, 64 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 29-year-old has struck out in 31.6% of his plate appearances, his highest rate since his rookie year in 2019. While Riley's 12.4% barrel rate and 44.2% hard-hit rate remain above-average, they are a notch below the marks he posted on his way to three consecutive 30-homer, 90-RBI seasons from 2021 through 2023. Riley has been a bit better in the second half of the season, hitting .248 with 10 home runs across 233 plate appearances since the All-Star break. However, he's struggled to a .229 batting average with a 31.6% strikeout rate in September. Entering the final weekend of the 2026 season, Riley remains a middling third base option for fantasy managers.

5 days ago

Martín Pérez • SP • Braves

Martin Perez Placed on 10-Day Injured List with Lower-Back Inflammation

Atlanta Braves left-hander Martin Perez (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation, per Jesus Cano of The Athletic. While Perez could technically return in the middle of the National League Division Series, Braves manager Walt Weiss has already said that the veteran left-hander will likely not be available unless the team makes it to the National League Championship Series. Perez had a surprisingly excellent season for Atlanta in 2026, recording a 9-9 record with a 3.04 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts across 142 innings (30 games). The 35-year-old's 17.1% strikeout rate limits his fantasy value, but he's been a quality innings eater who likely would have played a role in the Braves' playoff rotation. Without Perez, Braves right-handers Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes, and JR Ritchie profile as the team's top arms behind ace Chris Sale.

5 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Back in Braves' Lineup on Thursday

Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (shin) is starting in right field and is batting second against the visiting Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Brady Singer on Thursday, per MLB.com. Acuna fouled a ball off his left shin in Tuesday's game against the Reds and did not start on Wednesday, but he is back for the series finale and should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups against Singer. In just five career at-bats against Singer, Acuna is hitting .600 with a solo home run. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star had two separate stints on the injured list this year with hamstring injuries, which have limited his overall production for fantasy managers. Acuna has hit .259 (102-for-394) with 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 60 runs scored. Braves fans can breathe a sigh of relief that they did not lose Acuna just before the start of the playoffs next week, and they will be hoping he can carry over his hot hitting in September. In 19 games during the month, he has gone 25-for-74 (.338) with seven homers and 19 RBI in 81 plate appearances.

6 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Held Out on Wednesday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (shin) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest at home against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, per MLB.com. Brewer Hicklen is making the start in right field for the Braves and will bat eighth against Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott. Acuna was pulled from Tuesday's game early against Cincinnati after fouling a ball off his left leg. Thankfully, X-rays came back negative, and he was diagnosed with a shin contusion. The Braves are giving Acuna a precautionary day off on Wednesday, but he could be back as soon as Thursday's series finale in Atlanta. The Braves' primary concern will be for Acuna to be ready to roll for the start of the postseason next week. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star missed more time due to injuries in 2026, but he still managed to reach the 20-homer mark in just 104 games played while slashing .259/.352/.462 with an .814 OPS. Acuna has added 55 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 60 runs scored. He has been seeing the ball well in September, going 25-for-74 (.338) with seven home runs, five doubles, 19 RBI, 13 runs scored, and a stolen base in 19 games.

7 days ago

Robert Suarez • RP • Braves

Braves Reinstate Robert Suarez From Injured List

The Atlanta Braves officially announced on Wednesday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Robert Suarez (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and optioned right-hander Owen Murphy to the minors in a corresponding move. After missing more than three months with inflammation in his right elbow, Suarez is back at the back end of the Braves' bullpen for the tail end of the regular season. The Braves might ease the 35-year-old veteran Venezuelan hurler back into the fold so that he is ready to roll for the postseason next month. Before his elbow injury, Suarez, a two-time All-Star who had 76 saves in the previous two seasons with the San Diego Padres, had been pitching extremely well in Atlanta. He was 4-0 with a 0.56 ERA (2.44 FIP), a 0.84 WHIP, four saves, 26 strikeouts, and six walks in 32 relief innings. Suarez's return definitely makes Atlanta's bullpen more intimidating, just in time for the postseason in October.

7 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early on Tuesday with Shin Contusion

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (shin) exited early from his team's 4-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday after fouling a ball off his leg. Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, X-rays on the leg were negative, and the star outfielder is now being listed as day-to-day with a shin contusion. Acuna Jr. was hitless in one plate appearance before leaving the game. While it appears that he's avoided a serious injury, Atlanta could still choose to be extremely cautious with Acuna Jr. in the final week of the regular season. The Braves have already clinched the National League East title and are likely locked into the number three seed in the NL. Across 455 plate appearances in 2026, Acuna Jr. is hitting .259/.352/.462 with 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 60 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. If he misses any time, Braves outfielders Brewer Hicklen and Mike Yastrzemski would likely see an increase in at-bats.

7 days ago

Robert Suarez • RP • Braves

Robert Suarez Expected to Return This Week

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said during a radio appearance on 680 The Fan that right-hander Robert Suarez (elbow) is "highly likely" to be activated from the 60-day injured list on either Wednesday or Thursday. Suarez has been sidelined since mid-June by inflammation in his right elbow, but it appears he will be back in the Atlanta bullpen for the team's postseason push. Across 32 innings (31 games) before suffering the injury, Suarez recorded a 0.56 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 26 strikeouts, and four saves. While the 35-year-old's strikeout rate dropped to 21.5%, he allowed just one home run (0.28 HR/9). Upon his return, Suarez should be a key part of the bridge to Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.

Sep 21

Eric Hartman • CF • Braves

Eric Hartman Struggling With Bat Since Call-Up to Double-A Columbus

Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Eric Hartman has had a good minor league season at age 20, but has struggled since his call-up in early August to Double-A Columbus. In 34 games with Columbus, the left-handed hitter has two homers and 10 RBI while hitting just .182. He does, however, have 18 stolen bases, which is a great sign despite the struggles in the batting average department. Hartman is the top prospect in the Braves' system and boasts 70-grade speed with a 55-grade hit tool and 50-grade power. Between Columbus and High-A Rome this season, Hartman has shown off that speed with 56 combined stolen bases to go with 26 homers and 74 RBI and a combined .249 batting average. Hartman looks like the real deal with his stolen base threat and that makes him a potential five-tool player and fantasy contributor a few years down the road.

Sep 18

Chris Sale • SP • Braves

Chris Sale Being Pushed Back, Will Not Start This Weekend

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale's next scheduled start is being pushed back, per Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Cano reports that the veteran left-hander is "not dealing with anything" and that there is "no need to panic." Still, it appears that Sale's next scheduled start will now be next Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds instead of this upcoming weekend against the Houston Astros. Sale has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026, recording a 14-9 record with a 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 190 strikeouts across 157 innings (26 starts). He was effective in his most recent outing on September 11, allowing three earned runs while recording six strikeouts across seven innings pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies. Still, with the Braves locked into a playoff berth, it looks like the team is prioritizing having Sale as fresh as possible in October.

Sep 16

Chris Sale • SP • Braves

Chris Sale Continues to be a Fantasy Ace

Despite being 37 years old, Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale has been one of the best pitchers in the National League in 2026 in his 16th season in the league. The former Cy Young winner and 10-time All-Star has managed to stay healthy this season and has been excellent for the Braves and fantasy managers alike, going 14-9 with a 2.10 ERA (2.26 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 184 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 150 innings pitched across his 25 starts. Sale picked up his eighth straight quality start his last time out on Sept. 4 against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, picking up a win while allowing two earned runs with one walk and seven strikeouts in six innings of work. He has at least six strikeouts in each of his last eight quality starts, and his 18 quality starts this year rank fifth in the National League. Sale also ranks second in the NL in ERA, third in wins and WHIP, and fourth in strikeouts. Sale has a tough matchup his next time out against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, but the veteran hurler is a must-start in all fantasy leagues, especially in the fantasy playoffs.

Sep 10

Drake Baldwin • C • Braves

Drake Baldwin a High-End Catcher Option Amid Second-Half Surge

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has emerged as one of the best-hitting backstops in baseball this season, slashing .276/.353/.452 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI, 77 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 544 plate appearances. After a red-hot start to the season, Baldwin missed about a month after suffering an oblique strain in May and then battled through an extended slump upon his return, recording just three hits across 50 plate appearances in June. However, the 25-year-old has gotten back to his normal self since then, hitting .306 across 225 plate appearances since the All-Star break. The Braves also frequently deploy Baldwin as their designated hitter on days when he's not behind the plate, which helps keep his legs fresh and keeps him in the lineup on an everyday basis. Entering the final few weeks of the year, Baldwin remains an elite catcher option for fantasy managers.

Sep 10

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Showing Signs of a Late-Season Breakout

Across 400 plate appearances in 2026, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is hitting .253/.350/.442 with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases. Relative to the lofty bar he's set for himself in his career, Acuna Jr.'s numbers so far this season have been underwhelming. However, the 28-year-old has shown signs of a late-season surge in recent games. Across his first 26 plate appearances of September, Acuna Jr. has hit .417 with three home runs and nine RBI. Acuna Jr.'s underlying metrics have generally been trending in the right direction in the second half of the season, as he's posted a 49.1% hard-hit rate since the All-Star break after logging a 43.4% hard-hit rate in the first half of the year. When Acuna Jr. is fully healthy and has everything going at the plate, his five-category upside remains as high as just about any player in baseball. If he continues his current tear, Acuna Jr. could swing fantasy leagues in September.

Sep 9

Bryce Elder • SP • Braves

Bryce Elder Set to Miss 3-4 Weeks After Having Knee Scope

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that right-hander Bryce Elder (knee) underwent knee surgery on Tuesday and will miss three to four weeks as a result of the procedure, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. While Elder has a chance to return to the postseason, his regular season is likely over. Across 149 innings (26 starts) before the injury, Elder recorded an 8-8 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 121 strikeouts. The 27-year-old's fantasy upside is limited by his subpar 19.1% strikeout rate. However, Elder proved himself to be a capable starting pitcher streamer at different points in 2026, especially while pitching in front of the potent Braves lineup. With Elder sidelined, Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver's place in the team's rotation is likely safe down the stretch of the season.

Sep 8

Reynaldo López • SP • Braves

Reynaldo Lopez to Return to the Rotation on Wednesday

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chad Bishop reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (knee) will come off the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. It will be Lopez's first start with Atlanta since July 27. He was placed on the IL on Aug. 2 with inflammation in his left knee. The veteran hurler looked good in his final minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, throwing 93 pitches in five shutout innings while striking out six for the Stripers. With Lopez returning, it will push the struggling Bryce Elder to a relief role while he battles knee issues of his own. Lopez, a 32-year-old Dominican hurler, will be returning to a 4-3 record this year with a 3.64 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 29 walks in 71 2/3 innings pitched across 24 outings (11 starts). He threw 5 2/3 shutout frames for a no-decision in his final start on July 26 against the Baltimore Orioles before landing on the IL, but he surrendered a combined nine earned runs in 9 1/3 innings in his previous two starts before that against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres.

Sep 7

Reynaldo López • SP • Braves

Reynaldo Lopez to Return to the Rotation Next Week

Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (knee) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to rejoin the team's starting rotation at some point next week, according to Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Lopez's first start back off the IL could line up to come next Wednesday against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, which would not be ideal for fantasy streaming purposes. The 32-year-old veteran has been sidelined with inflammation in his left knee since the end of July, but he is ready to rejoin the big-league roster after throwing 93 pitches in five scoreless innings for Triple-A Gwinnett in a minor-league rehab start on Thursday. The Dominican hurler will be making just his 12th start this year for the Braves next week and will be returning to a 4-3 record, 3.64 ERA (4.32 FIP), and 1.34 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 29 walks in 71 2/3 innings over his 24 appearances. Since rejoining Atlanta's rotation on June 26, Lopez posted a 3.86 ERA (3.88 FIP) with 28 hits allowed (four homers), eight walks, and 27 strikeouts in 28 innings across six starts. Lopez will be a matchup-based streamer to close things out in 2026 if he stays in the Braves' rotation through the end of September.

Sep 4

Tyler Mahle • SP • Braves

Tyler Mahle a Waiver-Wire Priority After Strong Start With Atlanta

Right-hander Tyler Mahle went 3-9 with a 5.13 ERA (4.37 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 37 walks in 94 2/3 innings and 18 starts to begin the 2026 season with the San Francisco Giants before the Atlanta Braves acquired him in a trade at midseason. Since the move to the first-place Braves, the 31-year-old veteran has looked like a different pitcher, going 2-1 with a 1.48 ERA (2.87 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and only five walks in 30 1/3 frames over five starts. Mahle has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his five starts so far for Atlanta, and he gave up only one earned run with no walks and a season-high nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings in his last outing on Sunday, Aug. 30, against the Colorado Rockies. He will have a pretty big test his next time out this weekend against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. In two starts already this year against the Phils, Mahle allowed five earned runs on nine hits while walking seven and striking out nine in 10 2/3 innings. Mahle will be a riskier fantasy streamer in that matchup, but regardless, he deserves more waiver-wire attention down the stretch. Mahle is currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.

Sep 3

Hurston Waldrep • SP • Braves

Hurston Waldrep to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

According to Mark Bowman, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Waldrep had surgery in February to remove loose bodies from his elbow. He made three appearances for the Braves before heading to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep suffered a setback with his elbow during his first outing back in the minors. It has been determined he'll require Tommy John surgery, which will likely knock him out until 2028. This is tough news for the 24-year-old, but hopefully he'll get healthy and back on the mound soon.

Aug 28

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