Atlanta Braves News

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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

Ozzie Albies • 2B • Braves

Ozzie Albies Suffers Season-Ending Left Hamate Fracture Monday

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (wrist) fractured his left hamate bone in Monday's 11-5 win over the Nationals, per MLB.com's Mark Bowman. He will miss the final five games of the season, and the hope is that he will be ready for the start of Spring Training. The 28-year-old fractured the same wrist in 2024, missing the final two months of that season. He will finish the season with a disappointing .240/.306/.365 slash line, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 667 plate appearances. This injury will place question marks on Albies from a fantasy perspective for 2026, as he struggled in 2025 after a similar injury in 2024.

Sep 23

Ozzie Albies • 2B • Braves

Ozzie Albies Exits With Apparent Wrist Injury

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (wrist) exited early against the Washington Nationals on Monday with an apparent injury to his left wrist, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Albies appeared to suffer the injury while following through on a swing in the bottom of the third inning, leading the Braves to replace him with Nick Allen. Notably, Albies fractured his left wrist in July 2024 and missed around two months. The 28-year-old has stayed healthy this season, having played in all 157 of the Braves' games, but has hit a disappointing .240/.305/.364 with 16 homers, 74 RBI, 73 runs, and 14 steals in 665 plate appearances.

Sep 23

Charlie Morton • SP • Braves

Charlie Morton Signs with Braves

The Atlanta Braves have signed starting pitcher Charlie Morton to a one-year contract on Monday. Morton was recently designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers. Morton was horrible with a 7.09 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and a 47/23 K/BB ratio across nine outings with Detroit. Given the Braves place in the standings, Morton doesn't really make sense for Atlanta. This could be the Braves giving Morton one more start with the organization before he retires. The 41-year-old has spent 18 years in the league and many of them with the Braves. It's unclear if he'll make a start over the last week. Regardless, Morton won't be a fantasy option at all.

Sep 22

Jake Fraley • RF • Braves

Jake Fraley Transferred to 60-Day Injured List

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jake Fraley (oblique) will not return this season after the team moved him to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday. Fraley was designated for assignment by the Reds in mid-August and claimed by the Braves. He went 7-for-23 (.304) in nine games with the Braves before landing on the injured list with a right oblique strain on Sunday. He'll miss the rest of the season, so the Braves chose to open up a spot on their 40-man roster by moving him to the 60-day injured list. He is arbitration-eligible this offseason, so the Braves will decide whether to tender him an offer or allow him to become a free agent. As a left-handed hitter, he could still offer enough upside to draw attention as a veteran platoon option for the Braves or if he hits the open market this offseason.

Sep 18

Matt Olson • 1B • Braves

Matt Olson Goes Yard Again on Wednesday

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson homered for the fifth time in six games to help the team to a 9-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Along with his solo shot off right-hander Sauryn Lao, Olson added two singles to finish 3-for-5 with an additional run scored. Olson has gone an eye-popping 23-for-60 (.383) with 12 extra-base hits (seven HRs, three doubles, two triples), 15 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 16 games this month. Over 153 games and 682 plate appearances this season, the 31-year-old has slashed .281/.372/.497 with 28 homers, 92 RBI, and 92 runs. With the roll he's on, Olson has a strong chance to swat 30-plus HRs for the fifth time in his career and an outside chance to reach 100 RBI for the fourth time

Sep 18

Atlanta Braves News

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