Atlanta Braves News

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Drake Baldwin • C • Braves

Drake Baldwin Has a Case to be the Top Catcher on Draft Boards

Across 615 plate appearances in 2026, Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin hit .284/.358/.459 with 25 home runs, 79 RBI, 85 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 25-year-old got off to a scorching-hot start to the season before suffering an oblique strain in mid-May that sidelined him for about a month. Baldwin struggled upon his return, hitting just .063 across 50 plate appearances in June after being reinserted into the Braves lineup. However, the young backstop bounced back and closed the season strong, hitting .315 with 10 home runs across 296 plate appearances after the All-Star break. Baldwin's underlying metrics supported his production at the plate, as he posted an excellent 50.9% hard-hit rate and kept his strikeout rate to a manageable 21.5%. Atlanta also frequently used him at designated hitter, both keeping his legs fresh and keeping him in the lineup on an everyday basis. Heading into 2027, Baldwin is in the conversation as the top catcher in fantasy baseball.

Yesterday

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. "Highly Unlikely" to be Traded this Offseason

The Atlanta Braves are "highly unlikely" to trade star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. this offseason, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Acuna is likely to hit free agency following the 2028 season, as Atlanta holds a club option for 2028 that they will almost certainly pick up. While the Braves may not be interested in paying Acuna what it would require to keep him past 2028, it appears that Atlanta is not entertaining moving him now ahead of 2027. Across 469 plate appearances in 2026, the 28-year-old hit .255/.345/.451 with 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases. While Acuna remains a productive player, he hasn't quite recaptured the magic of his 2023 season, when he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases. Injuries have been a huge part of the story, as Acuna Jr. missed significant time due to hamstring issues in 2026. If he can get back to full health, Acuna has as high a production upside as any player in baseball.

Yesterday

Ozzie Albies • 2B • Braves

Braves Exercise Ozzie Albies' 2027 Option

The Atlanta Braves announced on Thursday that they exercised their $7 million 2027 option on second baseman Ozzie Albies. Albies agreed in 2019 to a seven-year, $35 million contract that included $7 million options in both 2026 and 2027. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star will now head into the final year of his deal with the team next season after hitting a career-low .237 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 85 runs scored across 615 at-bats. He was a disappointment in the batting average department, but Albies still had plenty of value for the Braves up the middle at the keystone and played in all 162 of the team's regular season games in his 10th year in the big leagues. The 29-year-old switch-hitter and native of Cura ao should find himself in an everyday role in Atlanta for one more season while providing fantasy managers with some pop at the second base position, but the days of Albies being a threat for 20 homers and 20 steals appear to be over. He will turn 30 in January and is the Braves' longest-tenured player. It is concerning for fantasy managers looking to roster Albies next year that he hit just .194 with a .575 OPS in the second half.

Oct 30

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Braves Pick Up the 2027 Option for Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Atlanta Braves announced on Thursday that they exercised the $17 million 2027 option for outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. It is no surprise that the Braves picked up Acuna's option for next season, even though he missed more time with injuries in 2026. The right-handed slugger and former MVP missed roughly seven weeks this year with hamstring and knee injuries, which ultimately made him more of a bust for fantasy purposes. The 28-year-old Venezuelan outfielder finished with a .255/.345/.451 slash line with a .796 OPS, 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 61 runs scored in 107 games and 469 plate appearances. The five-time All-Star still has league-winning upside, but his lengthy injury history has made him a risk/reward fantasy outfielder going into the 2027 season. Acuna has only played in 150-plus games twice in his nine MLB seasons, but despite missing valuable time with injury in each of the last two seasons, he has still managed to reach the 20-homer mark for Atlanta. The Braves can tolerate Acuna's injuries while he plays on one of the most team-friendly contracts in baseball.

Oct 30

Ozzie Albies • 2B • Braves

Ozzie Albies Likely to Return on Club Option in 2027

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies is expected to return in 2027 on a one-year, $7 million club option, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Albies signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Braves in 2019 that included team options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The veteran switch-hitter has had his ups and downs in Atlanta, but Feinsand thinks he did enough this past season to make picking up his option a formality this winter. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner made his fourth All-Star team in 2026 and finished his 10th year in the big leagues with a .237/.293/.392 slash line, a .685 OPS, 22 home runs, 73 RBI, 85 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 162 regular-season games across 683 plate appearances. It was nice to see Albies return to the 20-homer mark for the first time since 2023, but his stolen-base and batting-average numbers were pretty disappointing. Albies still has pop from the second base position, but fantasy managers might want to forget about him ever slugging 30 homers again.

Oct 23

Spencer Schwellenbach • SP • Braves

Braves Not Expecting Too Much From Spencer Schwellenbach

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) might return next year, but he cannot be counted on to be a regular starting-rotation member over a 162-game schedule, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The same can be said for right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow). Schwellenbach was not able to pitch for the Braves at all in 2026 because of two surgeries on his right elbow -- the first to remove bone spurs in February, before he had another surgery in August to fix a fracture in the same arm. The 26-year-old former second-rounder from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln had a promising first two years in the majors in 2024 and 2025, combining to go 15-11 with a 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 235 strikeouts and only 41 walks in 234 1/3 innings over 38 starts for Atlanta. While he might not be ready for Opening Day in 2027, and he could have his workload managed all year, he definitely will be the more intriguing fantasy stash over Strider.

Oct 12

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Spencer Strider Won't Be Counted On for Many Innings in 2027

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) might return next year, but he cannot be counted on to be a regular member of the starting rotation for the entire 162-game schedule, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. In turn, fantasy managers should not really be seeking out Strider for their rosters because of his recent injury history. It has been all downhill for Strider after he won 20 games and struck out a league-high 281 batters in 32 starts in 2023 as a first-time All-Star. The 27-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2020 from Clemson made only two starts in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He went 7-14 last year with a 4.45 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 131:51 K:BB in 23 starts, and then he was only able to make eight starts while posting an ERA over 5.00 in 39 innings for the Braves this year. He battled elbow and oblique injuries in 2026 and did not return after going on the injured list in mid-June. Since having TJ surgery, Strider's velocity has taken a big hit, wiping out his high-end swing-and-miss stuff pre-injury.

Oct 12

Mauricio Dubón • LF • Braves

Mauricio Dubon in Play for Braves' Starting Shortstop Job in 2027?

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos had high praise for utility man Mauricio Dubon, saying that he "can't say enough good things about him" and that he feels "very comfortable with (Dubon) at short," per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Dubon emerged as a surprisingly critical component of Atlanta's lineup in 2026, hitting .276/.321/.399 with 12 home runs, 73 RBI, 66 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 619 plate appearances. Dubon is now set to hit free agency as he enters his age-32 season in 2027. The veteran had mostly been used as a versatile bench piece throughout his career prior to 2026, as he's shown an ability to line up everywhere on the diamond other than behind the plate and on the mound. However, it appears as though Atlanta could be circling Dubon as a potential stopgap starter at shortstop. The Braves have struggled to fill the shortstop position since losing Dansby Swanson to the Chicago Cubs in free agency following the 2022 season.

Oct 12

Didier Fuentes • RP • Braves

Braves View Didier Fuentes as a Starter Long Term

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that the team views right-hander Didier Fuentes as a "starter long term," per Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Atlanta used Fuentes as a bullpen arm in 2026. The 21-year-old excelled in the role, posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 92 strikeouts, 17 holds, and three saves over 73 1/3 innings (58 games). Fuentes averaged 97.3 miles per hour on his fastball and struck out 31% of the batters he faced while allowing a 7.1% strikeout rate. While Fuentes has proven he can be an extremely valuable reliever, it appears that the Braves may look to move him into their starting rotation as soon as next season. If Fuentes is indeed stretched out next spring, he could be a high-upside young arm for fantasy managers to target in drafts ahead of 2027.

Oct 12

Tyler Mahle • SP • Braves

Tyler Mahle Hoping to Return to Braves in Free Agency

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tyler Mahle said, "It'd be crazy not to want to play here," when asked about a potential return to Atlanta during the upcoming offseason, per Jesus Cano of The Athletic. The 32-year-old is set to hit free agency this winter. Mahle began the 2026 season with the San Francisco Giants and struggled, recording a 3-9 record with a 4.38 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 94 2/3 innings (18 starts). However, the veteran right-hander completely turned his season around after a midseason trade to Atlanta, logging a 1.99 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 48 strikeouts across 54 1/3 innings (nine starts). Mahle pitched well in his two postseason starts for the Braves as well, allowing just two hits and two earned runs across 13 1/3 innings. Given his strong close to the season, Mahle may be able to secure a multi-year deal in free agency.

Oct 8

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Battling Knee Soreness, Serving as DH in Game 3

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.'s knee has been sore since he slid during Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. As a result, Acuna will serve as the designated hitter and bat second for Atlanta in Game 3 of the series in Atlanta against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Lane Thomas will now start in right field and bat seventh, with catcher Sean Murphy heading to the bench. Acuna has a history of knee injuries, so the Braves will get him off his feet as the series heads to Atlanta tied one game apiece. The former MVP has gone 2-for-9 with two runs scored and a stolen base at the plate in the first two games of the NLDS against the Dodgers. The Braves will need Acuna to be at his best for the remainder of the series in order to knock off the defending World Series champions. The five-time All-Star had two separate trips to the injured list during the regular season due to hamstring issues and ended up hitting .255/.345/.451 with 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 61 runs scored across 408 at-bats.

Oct 6

Tyler Mahle • SP • Braves

Tyler Mahle Past his Abdominal Issue, Ready for Game 4

Atlanta Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle (abdomen), who is lined up to start Game 4 of the National League Division Series in Atlanta against the Los Angeles Dodgers, called his abdominal pull before his Wild-Card start against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies a non-issue, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Mahle has not felt it since, and it did not bother him in the start against the Phillies or during his bullpen session since. The 32-year-old veteran felt something in his abdomen before his start against the Phillies on Sept. 30, when he allowed just one earned run on six hits while walking one and striking out six in a no-decision in seven innings of work. It clearly did not affect Mahle much in that start, so it should not be much of an issue against the Dodgers on Wednesday at Truist Park. Mahle went 7-10 in 2026 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 137 strikeouts in 149 innings across 27 regular-season starts with Atlanta and the San Francisco Giants. His lone start against the Dodgers came on April 22, when he was still with San Francisco, and he tossed seven shutout innings in a win while walking two and striking out five in the Bay Area.

Oct 6

Ozzie Albies • 2B • Braves

Ozzie Albies Hits Key Home Run in Series-Clinching Win on Thursday

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies helped power his team to a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday. The 29-year-old hit a two-run home run off of Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler in the fourth inning, extending Atlanta's lead at the time from 3-0 to 5-0. Albies had a strong series overall for the Braves, logging three hits, three walks, a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored across 13 plate appearances. Albies hit 22 home runs and scored 80 runs while appearing in all 162 games for Atlanta in the regular season, but his production cratered in the second half. Across 273 plate appearances after the All-Star break, the veteran switch-hitter hit just .194 with a .575 OPS. If Albies can kick it back into gear in the postseason, he could help the Braves pull off an upset of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

Oct 2

Ray Kerr • RP • Braves

Ray Kerr Helps Pitch Braves Past the Phillies on Thursday

Atlanta Braves left-hander Ray Kerr helped pitch his team to a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday. The 32-year-old was Atlanta's opener ahead of right-hander Grant Holmes and pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts while allowing just one hit and one walk. Kerr was effective in a limited sample size for the Braves during the regular season, recording a 1.47 ERA and 0.60 WHIP with 11 strikeouts across 18 1/3 innings (nine games). Atlanta is piecing together its playoff rotation behind ace Chris Sale and veteran Tyler Mahle. With Kerr's ability to work multiple innings, he could continue to see usage as an opener in the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Oct 2

Chris Sale • SP • Braves

Chris Sale Shuts the Door in Bullpen Appearance on Thursday

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale put the finishing touches on his team's Wild Card Series win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, coming out of the bullpen to get the final four outs in his team's 6-2 victory. With just one day of rest after starting Game 1 on Tuesday, Sale worked a scoreless 1 1/3 innings while allowing one hit and recording three strikeouts. The 37-year-old has some experience coming out of the bullpen, as he worked exclusively as a reliever in the 2010 and 2011 seasons while pitching for the Chicago White Sox. Sale will obviously shift back to the starting rotation for Atlanta's National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, although it's not yet clear whether this appearance will impact his availability. If Sale operates on regular rest from his start on Tuesday, he would likely be in line to start Game 2 of the NLDS on Sunday.

Oct 2

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Sparks Braves' Wild Card Series Win on Thursday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II threw the first punch in his team's 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday, hitting a three-run home run in the first inning. Harris II had an excellent series overall, logging five hits in 13 plate appearances to go along with three RBI and three runs scored. The 25-year-old's hot start to the postseason is a continuation of his strong close to the regular season. Across 93 plate appearances in September, Harris II hit .281 with three home runs, nine RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases. If Harris II can continue to produce at a high level, he could be an X-factor for the Braves in their upcoming National League Division Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Oct 2

Tyler Mahle • SP • Braves

Tyler Mahle Pitching Through Abdominal Issue

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that starting pitcher Tyler Mahle (abdominal) felt an abdominal pull while warming up for his start against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series, per Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game. McAuley also reports that Mahle downplayed the issue, saying he "didn't feel it affected him whatsoever" and that it "wouldn't stop him from pitching today or in the future." Mahle pitched well against Philadelphia on Wednesday, allowing one earned run and recording six strikeouts across seven innings of work. Still, it's worth noting that the veteran right-hander could be operating at less than 100% if Atlanta advances to the National League Division Series and beyond. Mahle emerged as the Braves' number two starter behind ace Chris Sale down the stretch of the regular season, recording a 1.99 ERA across nine starts after Atlanta acquired him from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline.

Oct 1

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.

Sep 30

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.

Sep 30

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.

Sep 27

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