Atlanta Braves News

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   
Ian Anderson  • SP  •  Braves  |  Bryce Elder  • SP  •  Braves

Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder Candidates To Start Against Padres

Atlanta Braves right-handers Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are all candidates to start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday. Anderson has some of the best postseason numbers of all time, but he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. The Braves may wait as long as possible to announce their starter against the Padres. Anderson has a 1.26 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched in the postseason, including a 1.04 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 17 walks, but he'd be a pretty big dice role for Atlanta to kick off the three-game series. In 15 minor-league stops at four different levels this year, he had a 3.44 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 29 walks in 68 innings. Smith-Shawver made just one start for Atlanta this year and has six starts since debuting in 2023. Elder was an All-Star in 2023 but had an ERA over 6.00 in his 10 starts this year.
Oct 1   
Chris Sale  • SP  •  Braves

Braves Don't Expect To Have Chris Sale In Wild-Card Series

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said he doesn't expect left-hander Chris Sale (back) to be available for the wild-card series in San Diego this week against the Padres. It comes after the Braves had to scratch Sale from a must-win game in a doubleheader at Truist Park on Monday versus the division-rival New York Mets due to back spasms. It's a massive blow for the Braves, as the 35-year-old veteran southpaw is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young award in 2024 after going 18-3 with a league-leading 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, a league-leading 225 strikeouts and 39 walks in 177 2/3 innings over 29 starts in his 14th year in the majors. It's unclear if Sale will be available for the Braves if they advance to the NL Division Series to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sale last started on Sept. 19 against the Cincinnati Reds, so if he does return and pitch in the postseason, you'd have to wonder if he'd be on some sort of pitch count. The Braves will move forward with Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Reynaldo Lopez for now against SD.
Sep 30   
Chris Sale  • SP  •  Braves  |  Grant Holmes  • RP  •  Braves

Chris Sale Scratched With Back Spasms, Grant Holmes To Start Game 2

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) has been scratched from Game 2 of the doubleheader against the division-rival New York Mets at Truist Park on Monday as the Braves attempt to punch their ticket to the postseason after losing a dramatic back-and-forth affair in Game 1. Right-handed rookie Grant Holmes will instead start the must-win contest in Game 2. It's a huge blow for the Braves as the 35-year-old Sale is a National League Cy Young front-runner this year. If the Braves do win Game 2 and advance to face the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round, starting on Tuesday at Petco Park, it's unknown if he'd be available at all to pitch in that series. The Braves are calling Sale's situation day-to-day for now. Holmes, 28, made his big-league debut in 2024 and has gone 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA (3.37 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 63 K's and 14 walks in 64 1/3 innings over 25 outings (six starts). Holmes had a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP as a starter.
Sep 30   
Sean Murphy  • C  •  Braves

Sean Murphy Out For Game 1 Against Mets

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy will not start in Game 1 of the team's big doubleheader on Monday at Truist Park against the division-rival New York Mets. With Murphy resting, Travis d'Arnaud will catch right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach and will bat seventh against Mets right-hander Tylor Megill. In nine career at-bats versus Megill, d'Arnaud is batting .222 with a .555 OPS. The Braves have elected to rest Murphy more in his second year with the team while also missing time with injuries. The 29-year-old backstop was a first-time All-Star in 2023 but has struggled in 71 games in 2024, hitting .194/.280/.353 with 10 homers and 25 RBI in 261 plate appearances. He has just four hits in 45 at-bats (.089) in 13 September games, but two of those hits have cleared the fences. d'Arnaud has been a bit more consistent with a .235 average, 15 homers and 48 RBI in 98 games in 2024.
Sep 30   
Michael Harris II  • CF  •  Braves

Michael Harris II Continues Blazing Stretch

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II smacked three hits and stole a base on Sunday, doing his best to lead the Braves in a crucial 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Harris certainly did his part, cracking three singles out of the leadoff spot. Unfortunately, the rest of the offense had trouble getting anything going and Harris failed to record any runs or RBI. The 23-year-old is heating up at the right time, as he had a .317/.343/.614 line with eight homers in September coming into this game. He will look to set the table for the Braves again on Monday and send them to the postseason. The hot finish to the season should remind fantasy managers of why they were willing to spend a third-round pick on Harris before the season. He will likely go for a discount next year, and savvy managers should buy the dip.
Sep 30   
Spencer Schwellenbach  • SP  •  Braves

Spencer Schwellenbach To Start Game 1 On Monday

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach will be tasked with taking the mound for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the New York Mets. The plan is for Schwellenbach to pitch in Game 1 and Chris Sale to take the ball in the night cap. It's worth noting that the Braves would clinch a postseason berth if they win the first game. That being said, the Braves would likely save Sale then and go bullpen game for the night contest. Schwellenbach holds a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 122/23 K/BB ratio across 20 starts this season.
Sep 29   
Travis d'Arnaud  • C  •  Braves

Travis d'Arnaud Sitting On Sunday

Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud is not in the starting nine on Sunday afternoon as the Braves look to complete a three-game sweep against the Kansas City Royals. The backstop was the hero on Saturday evening as he launched a walk-off home run. As a result, Sean Murphy will slot in behind the dish and catch for right-hander Charlie Morton. Fantasy managers should expect d'Arnaud to get the nod in at least one game of the doubleheader against the New York Mets on Monday. Murphy is a solid play in DFS this afternoon as he will bat in the seven-hole and should have many RBI opportunities against Kansas City right-hander Alec Marsh.
Sep 29   
Travis d'Arnaud  • C  •  Braves

Travis d'Arnaud Hits Walk-Off Home Run

Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts to that point in the game, but belted a pitch from Royals reliever Sam Long over the center-field wall for the walk-off 2-1 win. The victory was huge for the Braves as both the Mets and Diamondbacks both lost as the three teams vie for the final two Wild Card spots. The veteran backstop has had a rough month, slashing .163/.280/.256 in 43 at-bats, and it was his first long ball since August 26. The 35-year-old has put together a solid season as a real-life catcher, not so much for fantasy, logging 97 games played with a .236-15-48-39-1 line working as the Braves backup, although he worked as the starter while Sean Murphy was out with injury.
Sep 29   
Reynaldo López  • SP  •  Braves

Reynaldo Lopez Shines With Nine Strikeouts In Return

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) was outstanding in his return off of the injured list on Saturday, tossing six innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits and striking out nine Royals in a crucial 2-1 victory as the Braves look to lock down a wild-card spot. The 30-year-old has had a terrific season, even earning his first All-Star appearance this season, but has been limited in the second half due to injuries. Still, he came up big when the Braves needed it and will finish the regular season with an 8-5 record, an ERA of just 2.00, a 1.11 WHIP, and a K-BB% of 19.3%. The righty may have helped fantasy managers to are still in it to a championship and he'll look to continue that success next season in Atlanta.
Sep 29   
Reynaldo López  • SP  •  Braves

Reynaldo Lopez To Start For Braves On Saturday

Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) will come off the injured list to start for the team on Saturday at Truist Park against the Kansas City Royals. Lopez has been a first-time All-Star in his return to a starting role in his first year in Atlanta in 2024. He's gone 8-5 with a career-best 2.03 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 24 total starts, but he's dealt with injuries in the second half and has only made seven starts since the All-Star break as the Braves have looked to limit his innings down the stretch. In his seven starts since the All-Star break, he's posted a still-strong 2.45 ERA with 42 K's and eight walks in 33 innings. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched since Sept. 10 due to right-shoulder inflammation, so we shouldn't expect him to be able to go deep in Saturday's start as the Braves continue their trek to try and get the final wild-card spot in the National League. Fantasy managers still playing for something this weekend would be rolling the dice throwing Lopez out there after his layoff with not even a minor-league rehab start to get tuned up.
Sep 28   
LEGEND
✕