Atlanta Braves News

Yohel Pozo  • C  •  Braves

Yohel Pozo Signs Minor-League Deal With Braves

The Atlanta Braves signed free-agent catcher Yohel Pozo to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. Pozo will give the Braves additional catching depth entering the 2025 season after they saw Travis d'Arnaud leave for the Los Angeles Angels in free agency earlier this week. Pozo made his major-league debut back in 2021 with the Texas Rangers and hasn't resurfaced in the Show since. In his 21 games played in the big leagues, he's gone 21-for-74 (.284) with a homer, nine RBI and eight runs scored. The 27-year-old Venezuelan backstop has been swinging a hot bat in the minor leagues ever since, including a .324/.335/.538 slash line with an .873 OPS, 15 home runs and 54 RBI at Las Vegas, the Triple-A affiliate for the A's, in 2024. Sean Murphy will be Atlanta's primary catcher in 2025 with Chadwick Tromp likely backing him up.
2 days ago   
Charles Leblanc  • 2B  •  Braves

Braves Add Charles Leblanc On Minor-League Deal

The Atlanta Braves signed free-agent third baseman Charles Leblanc to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. Leblanc will give the Braves additional infield depth entering spring training in February. The 28-year-old Canadian infielder has experience at second base, third base and first base. The former fourth-round selection by the Texas Rangers in 2016 out of the University of Pittsburgh made his major-league debut in 2022 with the Miami Marlins and also saw action in 11 games with the Los Angeles Angels this past season. In his 59 career games at the MLB level, he has hit .254/.330/.412 with a .742 OPS, six home runs, 17 RBI, four stolen bases and 24 runs scored in 197 trips to the plate. Leblanc hit .254 (86-for-339) with 12 long balls, 52 RBI, four steals and 56 runs scored in 98 games with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2024.
2 days ago   
Nick Allen  • SS  •  Braves

Braves Acquire Nick Allen From Athletics For Pitching Prospect

On Monday, the Atlanta Braves sent minor-league pitching prospect Jared Johnson to the Athletics in exchange for shortstop Nick Allen. Allen made his major league debut in 2022 but has failed to stick at the major league level due to his underperformance at the plate. He's got a career slashline of .209/.254/.283 with a 53 wRC+ in 760 MLB plate appearances (247 games). The 26-year-old has solid bat-to-ball skills, with an 80.6% contact rate at the major league level, but it hasn't translated to hits. That hasn't been the case in the minors, slashing .345/.431/.497 in 81 games at Triple-A last season. Still, it is his glove that makes him worthy of a major league roster spot if he can manage to at least hit better than .209. Orlando Arcia manned short for the Braves last season, but even his .218 BA with a 72 wRC+ was better than that. Johnson pitched to a 2.60 ERA in 52 relief innings last year at High-A Rome for the Braves and figures to be a bullpen arm as well whenever the 23-year-old gets a shot in the bigs.
5 days ago   
Drake Baldwin  • C  •  Braves

Drake Baldwin Performing Well In Arizona Fall League

Atlanta Braves catching prospect Drake Baldwin has carried an impressive .377/.452/.491 line through 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. The backstop has tallied one double, one home run, nine RBI, and held a strong 8:9 BB:K ratio. Last summer, the No.5 prospect in the Atlanta system held his own through his first look at Triple-A. Through 72 games with the Gwinnett Stripers, the former third-round pick posted a solid 298/.407/.484 slash line with 13 doubles, 12 home runs, and a 52:54 BB:K ratio. It is a promising sign to see the backstop continue to show a great eye at the plate in the AFL. With Travis d'Arnaud no longer under contract in Atlanta, Baldwin could have a viable path on making the major league roster directly out of Spring Training if he continues to develop well.
6 days ago   
Ronald Acuña Jr.  • RF  •  Braves  |  Spencer Strider  • SP  •  Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider Not Expected To Be Ready By Opening Day

According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) are not expected to be ready by Opening Day. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said, "We're planning on not having them on the Opening Day roster. How soon after that, we'll see how that goes. And as we get closer and get into spring training, we'll probably be able to update." Fantasy managers should continue monitoring their progress during the offseason and Spring Training; they could potentially sit out significantly during the 2025 season. Acuna suffered a torn ACL in his left knee last May, while Spencer Strider underwent an internal brace procedure in April. During the 2023 season, Acuna captured the NL MVP by hitting a stellar .337/.416/.596 line with 41 home runs and 733 stolen bases. In the same season, Strider finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting with a 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 281 punchouts across 186 2/3 innings of work. When healthy, both players are elite fantasy assets and would have been consensus first-round selections in all fantasy formats.
Nov 5   
Joe Jiménez  • RP  •  Braves

Joe Jimenez Out 8-12 Months After Knee Surgery

Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez (knee) is expected to be out eight to 12 months after having surgery on Oct. 29 to fix cartilage damage in his left knee. The surgery was performed in Chicago by Dr. Brian Cole. We'll have a better idea of Jimenez's specific timetable for a return next year, but he's almost certainly going to miss all of the first half of the 2025 season. It's a significant blow to Atlanta's bullpen, as the 29-year-old hurler was one of the team's best bullpen arms in 2024. Despite going 1-5 in his second season with Atlanta in 69 appearances out of the bullpen, he posted a career-best 2.62 ERA (2.34 FIP), a 0.99 WHIP, three saves, a career-high-tying 82 strikeouts and 23 walks in 68 2/3 innings pitched. Don't be surprised if Jimenez's rehab extends into the second half of next season after the All-Star break.
Nov 5   
Marcell Ozuna  • DH  •  Braves

Braves Exercise Marcell Ozuna's 2025 Option

The Atlanta Braves exercised designated hitter Marcell Ozuna's $16 million club option for the 2025 season on Monday. It was a no-brainer decision for the Braves after Ozuna was once again one of the best all-around hitters in the game in 2024. The 33-year-old veteran Dominican slugger helped carry Atlanta's offense this year with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) suffering a season-ending torn ACL. Ozuna made the All-Star team for the third time in his career and finished his fifth year with the Braves with an impressive .302/.378/.546 slash line, .925 OPS, 39 home runs, 104 RBI, one steal and career-high 96 runs scored in a league-high 162 games played. He's recorded a whopping 79 home runs and 204 RBI the last two seasons, but his loss of outfield eligibility makes him a bit more volatile for fantasy managers heading into 2025.
Nov 4   
Reynaldo López  • SP  •  Braves

Braves Sign Reynaldo Lopez To Three-Year Deal

The Atlanta Braves signed right-hander Reynaldo Lopez to a new three-year, $30 million deal on Saturday, the team announced. Lopez will earn $8 million in 2025, $14 million in 2026, and $8 million in 2027. He originally signed a three-year deal with the Braves last November that included a club option for 2027. Additionally, the team signed left-hander Aaron Bummer to a two-year, $13 million deal on Saturday. He'll make $3.5 million next season and $9.5 million in 2026. The 30-year-old Lopez was originally set to make $11 million in both 2025 and 2026. He faded down the stretch due to injuries, but overall, the Dominican hurler had a fantastic first season in Atlanta in a return to a starting role, going 8-5 with a 1.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 148 strikeouts in 135 2/3 innings over his 26 outings (25 starts) during the regular season.
Nov 4   
Drake Baldwin  • C  •  Braves

Drake Baldwin Could Make MLB Debut In 2025

The Atlanta Braves could turn to catching prospect Drake Baldwin, who is considered the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, next season if there's a catching injury to either Sean Murphy or Travis d'Arnaud. Baldwin, 23, was impressive in the minors in 2024 and has continued that in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .310 with three extra-base hits and an .892 OPS in seven contests. While his defense isn't weak, his bat is certainly ahead of his glove. Baldwin had just four homers and a .650 OPS in 52 games at Double-A early on this year, but he hit .298 with 12 long balls and an .891 OPS in 72 games after being promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett. "The way he's played, he's definitely a phone call away at this point," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. Baldwin will begin 2025 back at Triple-A while sharing time with Chadwick Tromp.
Oct 25   
Max Fried  • SP  •  Braves

Braves Unlikely To Break The Bank To Keep Max Fried

The Athletic's David O'Brien writes that the Atlanta Braves are unlikely to get into a bidding war to retain impending free-agent left-hander Max Fried. The Braves exceeded luxury-tax thresholds each of the last two seasons and will be returning Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider. Fried will be 31 in January, a little on the old side for a free-agent starter, but he is 71-31 with a 3.06 ERA in 145 regular-season games since the start of 2019 and figures to attract multiple suitors. His age and multiple injuries in his career could keep his cost low enough for Atlanta to consider re-signing him. Fried has been a three-time Gold Glove winner, two-time All-Star and finished in the top five in Cy Young voting twice. If Fried leaves and Charlie Morton retires, Atlanta has options to fill out their rotation in Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep.
Oct 25   
Travis d'Arnaud  • C  •  Braves  |  Aaron Bummer  • RP  •  Braves

Braves To Pick Up Options On Travis d'Arnaud, Aaron Bummer

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said that the team is planning to exercise their 2025 club options for catcher Travis d'Arnaud ($8 million) and left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer ($7.25 million). d'Arnaud saw much more playing time than expected in 2024, even when Sean Murphy was healthy. He was the better offensive backstop of the two also, hitting .238/.302/.436 with a .739 OPS, 15 home runs, 48 RBI and 40 runs scored in 99 regular-season games for Atlanta. The 35-year-old veteran should be expected to split duties at catcher with Murphy again in 2025. Bummer, 31, could be Atlanta's primary late-inning left-hander in 2025. In his first year with the Braves in 2024, he went 4-3 with a 3.58 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP and 69 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings over his 56 appearances out of the bullpen.
Oct 4   
Marcell Ozuna  • DH  •  Braves

Braves Planning To Pick Up Marcell Ozuna's Option

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said that the team is planning to exercise their club option for the 2025 season on outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna for $16 million. It's a no-brainer decision after Ozuna made the All-Star team for the third time in his career in 2024 by hitting .302/.378/.546 with a .925 OPS, 39 home runs, 104 RBI and 96 runs scored in 688 plate appearances over a full 162-game season. It was the first time that Ozuna played in all 162 games in his career, and he's now clubbed 79 home runs and driven in 204 runs in 306 games for the Braves the last two regular seasons while slashing .289/.364/.552 with a .916 OPS. The 33-year-old was helped health-wise by the fact that he played all 162 of his games as the team's DH. Ozuna tried to pick up the slack as best he could offensively with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and Austin Riley (hand) suffering injuries this year.
Oct 4   
Chris Sale  • SP  •  Braves

Chris Sale Feels Great After Throwing Side Session

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) threw a side session on Friday and felt great. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos told Sale earlier this week that he would have been on the roster for the National League Division Series had the Braves advanced past the San Diego Padres in the Wild-Card Series. Sale had to be scratched from Game 2 of Monday's divisional doubleheader against the New York Mets and then was unavailable to pitch in either of the two games of the Wild-Card Series in San Diego on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was a disappointing end of the season for the 35-year-old veteran, who is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young this year after going 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings over his 29 starts in his first year with the Braves. The eight-time All-Star obviously still has lots of upside, but he's also a big injury risk at his age.
Oct 4   
Spencer Strider  • SP  •  Braves

Spencer Strider Not A Lock For Opening Day 2025

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said it's too early to know when right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will be back and said it could be as soon as Opening Day in 2025 or as late as early June, if for some reason he needed more time. Right now, there have been no setbacks for Strider or reason to think his timetable would be on the longer end. The 25-year-old had an internal-brace procedure done on his right elbow in the middle of April to fix UCL damage in his right elbow. Strider previously had Tommy John surgery on the same elbow, but the hope is that the internal-brace procedure will help him return sooner than later. Fantasy managers looking to draft Strider as their ace should have more clarity on a specific timetable once he gets deeper into his rehab this winter. Strider won a league-high 20 games for Atlanta in 2023 but started just two games in 2024.
Oct 4   
Ronald Acuña Jr.  • RF  •  Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Not Guaranteed To Be Ready For Opening Day 2025

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said that it's too early to know when outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) will be back. Anthopoulos said it could be as soon as Opening Day or as late as early June, if for some reason he needs more time. Right now, there have been no setbacks or reason to think it would be on the longer end of that timetable. Acuna tore his left ACL in 2024 and needed surgery, so he's not a lock to be ready for Opening Day next season. The 26-year-old had surgery on his knee in early June. Despite the uncertain timetable for Acuna, by draft season early next year, fantasy managers should have a bit more clarity on when Acuna might be ready to go. The four-time All-Star won the National League MVP in 2023 and led the league in runs (149), hits (217), steals (73), on-base percentage (.416), OPS (1.012) and total bases (383). He'll still be a high-end fantasy option for his upside across all categories despite coming off a major injury.
Oct 4   
Max Fried  • SP  •  Braves

Max Fried Exits After Being Hit With Comebacker

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried was hit in the hip with a comebacker in the second inning of Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Padres, with manager Brian Snitker stating during the broadcast that the impacted area was bothering Fried and that was why he ultimately decided to take him out. Fried was masterful his last time out against the Royals at the end of the regular season but did not fare as well Wednesday, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, then being held responsible for five earned runs in the second inning. The southpaw allowed eight hits and no walks while striking out two in two innings of work. With the Braves eliminated, the 30-year-old will be good to go next season, although at this point it's not certain whether or not it will be with Atlanta.
Oct 3   
Max Fried  • SP  •  Braves

Max Fried Gets Game 2 Nod In Wild-Card Series

Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried has been tabbed to take the ball in Game 2 of the wild-card series versus the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Petco Park. The Braves decided to go with right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who has made just one start in 2024, for Game 1 on Tuesday night. It will be a full-circle moment for Fried, as he was drafted seventh overall in 2012 by the Padres. The 30-year-old southpaw is now the team's ace with fellow left-hander Chris Sale (back) out for the wild-card series due to back spasms that cropped up on Sunday. Fried made his second All-Star team in 2024 and was solid for Atlanta, going 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 166 strikeouts and 57 walks in 174 1/3 innings over 29 starts. He led the league with two complete games, including one shutout. Fried faced SD once, back on May 17, taking the loss while allowing three earned runs with three walks and two K's in 4 1/3 innings.
Oct 1   
AJ Smith-Shawver  • SP  •  Braves

AJ Smith-Shawver Starting Game 1 Against Padres

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has been named the starter for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday night. The Braves didn't have ideal options to choose from to start against a strong Padres offense to kick off the three-game series, as Smith-Shawver got the nod over Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder. The 21-year-old made his big-league debut in 2023 but pitched in just six games (five starts). His lone MLB start in 2024 came back on May 23, when he threw 4 1/3 shutout innings in a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs. The former seventh-rounder didn't do great in the minors, posting a 4.85 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 108 K's and 40 walks in 89 innings over 21 starts with Triple-A Gwinnett and High-A Rome. Needless to say, Smith-Shawver won't be a recommended DFS play for the first day of playoff action.
Oct 1   
Chris Sale  • SP  •  Braves

Chris Sale Officially Out For Wild-Card Series

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back), the favorite to win the National League Cy Young award in 2024, is officially out for the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park this week, as he was left off the team's playoff roster. Sale was scratched from Game 2 of the doubleheader against the division-rival New York Mets in a must-win game on Monday. If the Braves pull the upset over the Padres in the wild-card series and advance to the NLDS to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, it's unknown if Sale would be able to make a return. Atlanta is going with AJ Smith-Shawver to start Game 1 against SD on Tuesday evening. Losing the NL's best pitcher at the most important time of the year is obviously really bad news for the Braves. Sale went 18-3 in 2024 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 225 strikeouts and only 39 walks in 177 2/3 innings over his 29 starts in his first year with Atlanta.
Oct 1   
Grant Holmes  • RP  •  Braves

Grant Holmes Tosses Four Scoreless Innings To Help Clinch Playoff Spot

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes stepped up when it mattered most in Monday's Game 2 3-0 win over the Mets. In a must-win situation, Holmes was slotted into the starting lineup after Chris Sale (back) was scratched due to back spasms. Making just his seventh start of the season, Holmes pitched four innings, allowing one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts. The 28-year-old pitched mostly out of the bullpen this season, going 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a 9.22 K/9 rate in 26 appearances (seven starts) over 68 1/3 IP. It will be interesting to see how he may be utilized in the postseason and what his role could be for 2025. He only notched one hold this season, so he would likely need to be slotted into a higher-leverage role next season to offer fantasy value.
Oct 1   
LEGEND
✕