Atlanta Braves News

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Raisel Iglesias • RP • Braves

Raisel Iglesias to Remain the Braves Closer

Despite the recent addition of All-Star closer Robert Suarez on a three-year, $45 million deal, right-hander Raisel Iglesias will remain the Atlanta Braves' closer in 2026, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Suarez will open next season as Atlanta's high-priced, high-leverage setup man in front of Iglesias. The 35-year-old Cuban reliever got off to a rough start with the Braves last year, but he rebounded and had a sharp 1.96 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 51:12 after the start of June to finish with a 3.21 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 29 saves in 67 1/3 innings. His 85.3% save share was the third-highest among closers in baseball, although that figures to drop in 2026 with Suarez in the fold. In the final two months, Iglesias had a 0.38 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and a league-leading 16 saves. Iglesias still has the stuff to get the job done in the ninth, but he's on much shakier ground now that Suarez is an option to replace him if he struggles again at any point next year.

3 days ago

Robert Suarez • RP • Braves

Robert Suarez Agrees on Three-Year Deal With Braves

Free-agent closer Robert Suarez and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a three-year, $45 million deal on Thursday, sources tell Jeff Passan of ESPN. It's a curious landing spot for Suarez after the Braves already re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal this offseason. Reports suggest that Iglesias will remain the Braves' primary closer in 2026, which means that the 34-year-old Suarez will serve in a high-leverage setup role in his new digs. Suarez has been one of the most dominant closers in recent seasons with the San Diego Padres, posting a 2.87 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 76 saves, 134 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 134 2/3 regular-season innings since the start of the 2024 campaign. He should continue to be useful for his strikeout rate and holds, but if Iglesias actually holds him off for closer duties, Suarez's overall fantasy value will take a hit in Atlanta.

3 days ago

Mike Yastrzemski • RF • Braves

Braves Agree to Two-Year Deal With Mike Yastrzemski

The Atlanta Braves are in agreement with free-agent outfielder Mike Yastrzemski on a two-year, $23 million contract that also includes a third-year club option, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. The 35-year-old spent the first six-plus seasons of his big-league career with the San Francisco Giants before being traded to the Kansas City Royals at the 2025 trade deadline. Across 558 plate appearances split between San Francisco and Kansas City in 2025, Yastrzemski slashed .233/.303/.403 with 17 home runs, 46 RBI, 68 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. He cut his strikeout rate to a career-best 19.4% while upping his walk rate to 12.9%, his highest mark since the shortened 2020 season. The left-handed-hitting Yastrzemski sports a career .648 OPS against left-handed pitching, so he profiles best as a platoon bat. He's likely ticketed for a starting corner-outfield job against right-handed pitchers in Atlanta.

4 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that he's open to moving outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. back to the leadoff spot next season, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The vast majority of Acuna's big-league plate appearances have come in the leadoff spot for Atlanta. This year's National League Comeback Player of the Year has hit .294/.387/.535 with a .921 OPS in 3,091 plate appearances in the No. 1 spot in the batting order in Atlanta. The 27-year-old former MVP was limited to 412 plate appearances in 2025 while recovering from the second torn ACL of his career, and he also missed some time late in the year with a calf injury. Acuna was his usual outstanding self when he was on the field, slashing .290/.417/.518 with 21 home runs, but he stole just nine bases. When healthy, Acuna remains one of the top all-around players in the game, but he has played 100 games in a season just twice in the last five years. A move back to leadoff would be ideal for his fantasy upside.

5 days ago

Osvaldo Bido • SP • Braves

Braves Pick Up Osvaldo Bido Off Waivers From A's

The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they claimed right-hander Osvaldo Bido off waivers from the Athletics. The Braves also added right-hander Anthony Molina off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. Atlanta designated left-hander Josh Walker for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for the two new acquisitions. Bido will head to Atlanta to give the Braves a swing arm for the upcoming season. The 30-year-old Dominican hurler will be in his fourth year in the big leagues in 2026. Bido had a career-best 3.41 ERA (3.36 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 26 walks in 63 1/3 innings over 16 outings (nine starts) for the A's in 2024. However, he regressed to a career-worst 5.87 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with a 68:35 K:BB in 26 appearances (10 starts) covering a career-high 79 2/3 innings in 2025. If Bido makes the Opening Day roster, he'll likely be ticketed for a long-relief role.

Dec 6

Joel Payamps • RP • Braves

Braves Re-Sign Joel Payamps to One-Year Deal

The Atlanta Braves agreed to terms on Sunday to re-sign right-hander Joel Payamps on a one-year contract worth $2.25 million for next season, according to the team. Payamps began the 2025 season pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers before he was claimed off waivers by the Braves in late September. The 31-year-old veteran had a career-worst 6.84 ERA (4.54 FIP), 1.52 WHIP, one save, 24 strikeouts, and nine walks in only 26 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in 2025 with both the Brewers and Braves. Payamps should have a role in Atlanta's bullpen on Opening Day, but he won't be much of an option in fantasy baseball leagues as he looks to bounce back in 2026. Through seven big-league seasons, Payamps has a career 3.41 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 10 saves, a 21.9% strikeout rate, and a 7.2% walk rate.

Nov 24

Mauricio Dubón • 2B • Braves

Braves Acquire Mauricio Dubon From the Astros

The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros pulled off a trade on Wednesday, with the Braves acquiring infielder/outfielder Mauricio Dubon from the Astros in exchange for infielder Nick Allen, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Braves have a glaring need at shortstop going into next season, but it's unclear if Dubon, a two-time Gold Glover, will play at the 6 primarily or be used as more of a utility man. The 31-year-old has played seven different positions in his seven big-league seasons, including 107 games at short and 214 at second base. Both Dubon and Allen are glove-first players, which doesn't make them as attractive in fantasy baseball. Dubon has had a .677 OPS the last three years in Houston, while Allen had just a .535 OPS while serving as the Braves' primary shortstop for much of 2025. Dubon has only 39 homers with a .257/.295/.374 slash line in his seven seasons in the majors.

Nov 20

Raisel Iglesias • RP • Braves

Raisel Iglesias Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal

The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they re-signed right-handed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal for the 2026 season. The 35-year-old Cuban veteran will return to Atlanta for a fifth season, where he should be firmly locked in as their closer yet again. Iglesias didn't exactly look like himself early on, but it didn't take long for him to right the ship in 2025, and he finished with a 3.21 ERA (3.31 FIP), 0.99 WHIP, 29 saves, 73 strikeouts, and 16 walks in 67 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He wasn't quite as good as he was in 2024, when he had a career-high-tying 34 saves and a career-best 1.95 ERA, but he did have an ERA of 1.96 with 51 K's and 12 walks after the start of June. Iglesias will be a little more volatile than most closers in 2026 because of his age, but his locked-in role on what should be a strong Braves team will make him a high-end closing target in fantasy.

Nov 20

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year in 2025, according to MLB. Acuna showed that he was still one of the game's elite players by successfully returning from a second major knee surgery, a complete tear of the ACL in his left knee. On the first pitch he saw in his season debut on May 23, the 27-year-old Dominican hit a 467-foot home run. Acuna was an All-Star for the fourth time in his career and slashed a strong .290/.417/.518 with 21 home runs for the Braves in 95 games played. Only five players among the 215 players with at least 400 plate appearances had a higher OPS than Acuna's mark of .935. He also dealt with a minor calf issue in 2025, but it thankfully did not slow him down. Fantasy managers aren't forgetting the risk that now comes with Acuna, but when healthy, he's still an elite fantasy outfielder that contributes across all categories.

Nov 15

Sean Murphy • C • Braves

Braves to Have Clearer Picture of Sean Murphy's Status in January

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said on Wednesday that the team will have a better idea of catcher Sean Murphy's (hip) rehab plan in January, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. The Braves plan on him playing and sharing at-bats with Drake Baldwin at catcher and designated hitter, unless they add a DH in the offseason. O'Brien thinks that if Murphy is expected back early next year, Atlanta will pass on adding a big DH. The 31-year-old backstop needed surgery in September to fix a labral tear in his right hip that he's been dealing with for several years. Health issues have caused the former third-rounder to hit a lowly .197/.293/.384, albeit with 26 home runs and 70 RBI, in 166 games the last two years in Atlanta. Baldwin just won the NL Rookie of the Year and is on the rise, so Murphy could lose more playing time going forward, even if he can stay healthy.

Nov 13

Spencer Schwellenbach • SP • Braves

Spencer Schwellenbach Pain-Free This Offseason

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) is pain-free, according to president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos. Schwellenbach fractured his right elbow at the end of June and didn't pitch again for Atlanta in 2025. The 25-year-old was cleared to resume throwing in late September, though, which means that barring a setback, he should be an option for the Braves' starting rotation to begin the 2026 season. Schwellenback should be a lock for the rotation if he's healthy after going 15-11 with a nice 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP), 1.01 WHIP, and 235:41 K:BB in 234 1/3 innings over 38 starts in his first two big-league seasons the last two years. There's a lot to like about Schwellenbach's fantasy profile, but there's also plenty of risk for a player coming off a major injury who made the leap straight from Double-A to the big leagues when he debuted in 2024.

Nov 12

Drake Baldwin • C • Braves

Drake Baldwin Named NL Rookie of the Year

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was named the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year on Monday night. Baldwin, a third-rounder in the 2022 draft out of Missouri State, was thrust into action early in the 2025 campaign when Sean Murphy started the season on the injured list with a broken rib. Baldwin, who was the club's top prospect, took advantage to earn NL ROY hardware. He got off to a slow start at the plate but eventually figured it out and finished with a .274/.341/.469 slash line with 19 home runs to lead all NL rookies with a 3.1 fWAR. Baldwin becomes the 10th player in franchise history to win the award. His 75.3 mph average bat speed ranked him among the top 9% of qualified hitters this year, and he also finished in the 80th percentile or better in whiff rate (19.5%), expected slugging percentage (.474), expected weighted on-base average (.354), strikeout rate (15.2%), hard-hit rate (49.6%), expected batting average (.276), and average exit velocity (91.7 mph).

Nov 11

Chris Sale • SP • Braves

Braves Picking Up Chris Sale's 2026 Option

The Atlanta Braves are picking up future Hall of Fame left-hander Chris Sale's $18 million option for the 2026 season on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Even though Sale missed extended time once again in 2025 due to injury (a left rib-cage fracture), there was never any doubt that the Braves would bring him back for his 16th MLB season. The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner looked good again when he was healthy, going 7-5 for Atlanta with a 2.58 ERA (2.67 FIP) and 1.07 WHIP with 165 strikeouts and 32 walks in 125 2/3 innings over 21 outings (20 starts). Sale won the National League Cy Young in 2024 in his first year with the Braves, when he led the league with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 punchouts. Injuries are an issue, but Sale's high-end strikeout upside makes him worth the risk in fantasy.

Nov 5

Ozzie Albies • 2B • Braves

Braves Pick Up Ozzie Albies' 2026 Option

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on 929 The Game on Tuesday that the team is picking up the $7 million club option on second baseman Ozzie Albies (hand), according to Mark Zinno. Albies will stick around in Atlanta for his 10th season in 2026 despite having his worst full-season offensive performances. The three-time All-Star hit just .240/.306/.365 with a career-low .671 OPS, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 74 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in 157 games played. In addition to disappointing with the bat for his standards, Albies fractured his left hand late in the season. The 28-year-old switch-hitting second baseman will look to bounce back offensively and stay healthy for the entire year in 2026 as Atlanta looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 campaign as well. Albies has two seasons with 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBI, so the ceiling remains high.

Nov 5

Austin Nola • C • Braves

Austin Nola Signs Minor-League Deal With Braves

Veteran free-agent catcher Austin Nola signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday that includes a major-league invitation to spring training camp, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Nola broke into the big leagues in 2019 with the Seattle Mariners before joining the San Diego Padres in 2020. He hit a career-best 10 homers as a rookie in Seattle and also batted a combined .258 with six home runs and 69 RBI in two seasons for the Padres in 2021 and 2022 before slashing a putrid .146/.260/.192 in just 52 games in 2023. He did not play at all in the big leagues in 2024 and managed to surface for only 14 games for the Colorado Rockies this past season, going 7-for-38 (.184) with one RBI. The 35-year-old veteran will most likely open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he'll offer the Braves depth at the position.

Oct 22

Alek Manoah • SP • Braves

Braves Claim Alek Manoah Off Waivers From Blue Jays

The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they claimed right-hander Alek Manoah off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays and optioned him to the minors. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves moved second baseman Ozzie Albies (thumb) to the 60-day injured list. If anyone can turn Manoah around, it could be the Braves. The 27-year-old was a Cy Young candidate and an All-Star with Toronto in 2022, when he went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 180:51 K:BB in 31 starts. He had a disastrous 5.87 ERA and 1.74 WHIP the following year in 19 starts and was sent to the minors. Manoah made his way back in 2024 before needing Tommy John surgery. He made 10 minor-league rehab starts this year and posted a 3.96 ERA with 35 K's and 23 walks in 38 2/3 innings. Manoah will look to turn things around in spring training in 2026 while competing for a rotation spot, but he'll most likely start in the minors.

Sep 26

Chris Sale • SP • Braves |

Charlie Morton • SP • Braves

Charlie Morton to Start on Sunday, Chris Sale to be Used in Relief

Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton will now make the start in the regular-season finale on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with left-hander Chris Sale following in relief, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It will be the final start of his career for Morton, who has announced that he will retire following the season. The 41-year-old veteran was drafted by the Braves in the third round back in 2002, and he's spent five of his 18 MLB seasons in Atlanta. Morton spent the most years (seven) of his career with Pittsburgh, so it will be a fitting end for him this weekend. The two-time All-Star began the year with the Baltimore Orioles before joining the Detroit Tigers. Morton has struggled in his final professional season, going 9-11 with a 5.89 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 148:71 K:BB in 140 2/3 innings. In his prime, Morton was a back-to-back All-Star in 2018 and 2019 with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, and he's won two World Series titles.

Sep 25

Charlie Morton • SP • Braves

Charlie Morton Won't Make a Start Over the Weekend

Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton will not make a start for the team in the final weekend of the season in what will be his last weekend before retirement, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The Braves are going with left-hander Joey Wentz on Friday, right-hander Spencer Strider on Saturday, and lefty Chris Sale in the regular-season finale on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Morton's final career appearance will come out of the bullpen for Atlanta at some point this weekend. The 41-year-old veteran was recently released by the Detroit Tigers but quickly signed a one-year deal to return to the Braves to finish off his final professional season. Morton has struggled to a 5.89 ERA with 148 strikeouts and 71 walks in 140 2/3 innings this year with the Tigers and Baltimore Orioles, but he's had a fantastic 18-year run in the big leagues that included two All-Star appearances and two World Series rings.

Sep 24

JR Ritchie • SP • Braves

JR Ritchie Named Braves Minor-League Player of the Year

Atlanta Braves pitching prospect JR Ritchie was named the Braves' 2025 minor-league Player of the Year by Baseball America. The Braves' second-ranked prospect had a fine season, which began at High-A (seven starts), progressed to Double-A (eight starts), and finished at Triple-A (11 starts). All in all, the right-hander posted a 2.64 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and struck out 140 batters in 140 innings pitched. The 22-year-old's ETA in the majors per MLB.com's Top Prospects list is 2027, but a 2026 debut would seemingly be in the cards if he continues to pitch well at that level, especially for an organization that is not shy about promoting its top pitching prospects to the majors.

Sep 23

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Collects Three RBI, Three Steals Monday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II had a very productive offensive game in Monday's 11-5 win over the Nationals. Harris II went 3-for-5 with two singles, a double, and three RBI. He also swiped three bases. The 24-year-old has failed to produce the all-around fantasy output of his first two seasons. However, he has put together decent counting stats for 2025, slashing .244/.265/.392 with 17 home runs, 83 RBI, and 19 stolen bases in 624 plate appearances. Harris II had an average draft postion of 41 coming into this season, and will likely come at a greater discount than that for 2026.

Sep 23

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