Atlanta Braves News

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Drake Baldwin • C • Braves

Drake Baldwin is the Real Deal at Catcher

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has quickly become one of the best offensive catchers in baseball in just his second season in the big leagues. Baldwin went 1-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-2 win over the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers and is now hitting .297/.383/.509 with an .892 OPS, 10 home runs, 32 RBI, 35 runs scored, and a stolen base in 41 games across 188 plate appearances. The 25-year-old backstop has cooled off since his hot start earlier in the season, but he has still hit .257 (9-for-35) with three long balls, a double, seven RBI, and five runs scored in May. The former third-rounder in 2022 out of Missouri State was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2025, when he hit .274/.341/.469 with an .810 OPS, 19 homers, and 80 RBI in 124 games. Even though Sean Murphy has returned from offseason hip surgery, Baldwin will play regularly in Atlanta and is a bit part of the first-place Braves' offense. His strong start is backed up by the fact that he's in the 90th percentile in hard-hit rate.

Yesterday

Matt Olson • 1B • Braves

Matt Olson on a Tear Early in 2026 Season

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson is on pace for a monster season in 2026. He went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he's now slashing .296/.377/.654 with 14 home runs in 41 games and 183 plate appearances. Olson leads the league in RBI (36), doubles (15), runs scored (36), OPS (1.031), and total bases (104) for the first-place Braves. The 32-year-old veteran left-handed slugger has gone 10-for-34 (.294) in nine games so far in May with five home runs, two doubles, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and one stolen base. Not only does Olson rake, but he's been durable, as he entered the 2026 campaign with the longest active consecutive games streak in baseball. His underlying numbers back up his strong start, too, as he's in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit rate, and he holds a .406 xwOBA, which ranks 12th in baseball. Olson probably won't have a batting average near .300 by season's end, but his durability and power production remain elite for fantasy managers.

Yesterday

JR Ritchie • SP • Braves

JR Ritchie has Promising Upside

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie turned in an excellent debut when he got the call against the Washington Nationals on April 23. Since then, Ritchie has struggled to replicate similar results due to his lack of command over his last two starts. Ritchie has walked 10 batters across 10.1 innings of work. The rookie right-hander has the swing-and-miss stuff to be a consistent option at the big league level. He needs to get his command in line, but could be a solid stash option going forward. Fantasy managers in deep leagues that are seeking pitching help should consider adding Ritchie.

2 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Optimistic About Returning Next Wednesday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) seems optimistic about coming off the 10-day injured list when he's eligible next Wednesday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. When asked about it, manager Walt Weiss said Acuna still has some boxes to check. However, the fact that he was doing some agility work before Friday's series opener in L.A. against the Dodgers indicates that his stay on the IL shouldn't be too long. Acuna suffered a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain last Saturday and was put on the IL, but fantasy managers may not be without him for long. The 28-year-old probably will not be back in Atlanta's lineup next Wednesday, but a return at the end of next week is possible if he continues to progress at his current pace. Even though the Venezuelan outfielder's numbers don't stand out early in 2026, he remains an elite five-category contributor when healthy. Acuna currently owns a .252/.362/.378 slash line with a .740 OPS, two homers, nine RBI, 17 runs scored, and seven steals in 34 games in 2026.

3 days ago

Grant Holmes • SP • Braves

Grant Holmes Being Skipped on Wednesday

Atlanta Braves right-hander Grant Holmes' spot in the starting rotation is being skipped on Wednesday in the matchup on the road in Seattle against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park, with veteran left-hander Martin Perez getting the nod in the series finale. It doesn't mean that Holmes is heading to the bullpen, though, and he could make his next start this weekend in L.A. in an even tougher matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Holmes isn't injured, but the Braves might want to give him a little extra rest before his next outing after he failed to get into the sixth inning in three of his last four starts. The 30-year-old former 22nd overall pick by the Dodgers in 2014 has struggled mightily of late to raise his season ERA to 4.34 and his WHIP to 1.31 in seven starts across 37 1/3 innings pitched. Holmes has fanned 29 and walked 17. If he does make his next start against the Dodgers this weekend on the road, fantasy managers should be looking to bench him.

6 days ago

Raisel Iglesias • RP • Braves

Braves Officially Reinstate Raisel Iglesias From Injured List on Tuesday

The Atlanta Braves announced on Tuesday that they officially reinstated right-handed reliever Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list and designated right-hander Carlos Carrasco for assignment in a corresponding move. Iglesias returns on the first day he's eligible to come back from right-shoulder inflammation. He's expected to immediately reclaim closer duties from right-hander Robert Suarez, who performed admirably in the ninth inning for the Braves with Iglesias sidelined and picked up three saves. The 36-year-old Cuban hurler has 11-plus years of big-league experience, which includes 258 career saves in 744 2/3 innings pitched. Iglesias has had at least 29 saves in each of the last three seasons in Atlanta, and he tossed 8 2/3 scoreless frames with five saves for the Braves this year before landing on the IL. There's no reason why Iglesias should be floating around any waiver wires now that he's back.

7 days ago

Raisel Iglesias • RP • Braves

Raisel Iglesias Might Not Return Until Wednesday

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said the team might wait until Wednesday to activate right-handed reliever Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list, but that was also before their bullpen was an issue on Monday night, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Iglesias is eligible to return from the IL on Tuesday after missing the last two weeks with right-shoulder inflammation. The 36-year-old veteran Cuban hurler is expected to immediately return to the team's closer role, which will push right-hander Robert Suarez into the top setup role at the back end of Atlanta's bullpen. Iglesias had some struggles early in 2025, but he corrected them to finish strong, and he threw 8 2/3 scoreless innings for the Braves with five saves in eight appearances to begin 2026 before landing on the shelf. Iglesias needs to be scooped up off the waiver wire if he's available at all. He's rostered in 92% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

7 days ago

Sean Murphy • C • Braves

Braves Reinstate Sean Murphy From Injured List on Monday

The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they reinstated catcher Sean Murphy (hip) from the 10-day injured list and designated catcher Jonah Heim for assignment in a corresponding move. Murphy is making his 2026 season debut in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, doing the catching for rookie right-hander JR Ritchie and batting seventh in the order. The 31-year-old veteran backstop should be rostered in more than the 1% of Yahoo leagues he's currently rostered in, as he should play regularly for Atlanta between catcher and designated hitter. He went just 8-for-43 (.186) with no home runs, four RBI, four walks, and 12 strikeouts during his 13-game minor-league rehab assignment, so fantasy managers might want to temper expectations for Murphy early on. Murphy is still worth taking a chance on in hopes he can rediscover his power stroke after having offseason hip surgery. He had 82 total home runs in his last five seasons.

7 days ago

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Missing Second Straight Game on Monday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (quadriceps) is missing a second straight game on Monday in the series opener in Seattle against the Mariners, according to MLB.com. Harris missed a couple of games late last week with a left-quadriceps injury before returning to Saturday's contest against the Colorado Rockies as the designated hitter. Apparently, he's had a setback, though, as he's now sitting for a second straight game to begin the new week. Mauricio Dubon will start in center field for Atlanta and will hit cleanup for the Braves on Monday against Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert. Consider Harris day-to-day for now, but if he doesn't improve soon, he could land on the 10-day injured list to allow his quad injury to fully heal. Fantasy managers are just hoping the quad injury doesn't interrupt Harris' hot hitting at the plate. Through 32 games in 2026, he's slashing .321/.354/.557 with a .911 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 13 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 113 plate appearances. Harris had his first 20-20 campaign in 2025 and has had exactly 20 stolen bases in three of his four seasons in the big leagues. UPDATE: Harris is being considered day-to-day.

7 days ago

Sean Murphy • C • Braves

Sean Murphy Likely to Join the Team During Seattle Series

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that catcher Sean Murphy (hip) will likely rejoin the team during their series this week versus the Seattle Mariners, according to 680 The Fan's Barrett Sallee. The Braves kick off a three-game series in Seattle on Monday, so Murphy could make his 2026 season debut on Monday in the series opener. The 31-year-old veteran backstop opened the season on the 10-day injured list while recovering from hip surgery that he had last September. The Braves already have catchers Drake Baldwin and Jonah Heim on the big-league roster, so with Murphy on the verge of rejoining the team, Heim might be the odd man out. Fantasy managers might not want to expect too much from Murphy right away, as he went 5-for-32 during his minor-league rehab assignment. There are also plenty of questions as to whether Murphy can rediscover his pre-injury power form at the plate in Atlanta. Murphy was an All-Star with Atlanta in his first year with the team in 2023, and he's displayed above-average power for a catcher (82 homers in the last five years) since becoming a full-time starter in 2021. He's currently only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues.

May 4

Raisel Iglesias • RP • Braves

Raisel Iglesias to be Activated on Tuesday

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that right-handed reliever Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday ahead of their game against the Seattle Mariners, according to Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan. Iglesias appears ready to go for the Braves despite not going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 36-year-old veteran was placed on the IL back on April 21 with right-shoulder inflammation. Right-hander Robert Suarez performed admirably in the closer's role for Atlanta with Iglesias sidelined, but Iglesias should return to primary closing duties for the Braves upon his return this week. The Cuban hurler stumbled last year, but he finished out the 2025 campaign strong and hadn't allowed a run in 8 2/3 innings while striking out five in eight appearances to begin this season before his shoulder setback. If Iglesias was dropped in your league, scoop him up immediately. He's rostered in 92% of Yahoo leagues.

May 4

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Diagnosed With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is dealing with a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain, manager Walt Weiss told Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. While it's great news that Acuna's strain is minor, Bishop cautions that his injury could linger, and Acuna coming off the 10-day injured list when he's eligible will be a best-case scenario. Acuna strained his hamstring running to first base in Saturday's win over the Colorado Rockies in Denver, and he'll now be forced to miss at least the next week and a half. All things considered, it's about the best possible news that fantasy managers could have hoped for with Acuna, who has suffered ACL tears in both of his knees in past seasons. There's no current timetable for the perennial All-Star's return to Atlanta, he'll be a must-stash in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. In the meantime, both Mauricio Dubon and Eli White should see more playing time in the Braves' outfield.

May 3

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Braves Place Ronald Acuna Jr. on Injured List With Strained Hamstring

The Atlanta Braves announced on Sunday that they placed star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. In a corresponding move, the team added outfielder Jose Azocar to the major-league roster. Acuna was pulled from Saturday's win over the Colorado Rockies early at Coors Field with left-hamstring tightness. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star pulled up lame while running to first base and was removed from the game after manager Walt Weiss and a trainer came to check on him. It's unclear how long Acuna will be out, but regardless, it's a major blow to the Braves and for fantasy managers. In Acuna's absence, both Eli White and Mauricio Dubon could see more playing time in the outfield in Atlanta. Dubon is the more attractive fantasy option, but only in deeper leagues for the added playing time. Acuna heads to the IL with a .252/.362/.378 slash line, .740 OPS, two home runs, nine RBI, seven stolen bases, and 17 runs scored in 34 games. The numbers don't stand out, especially for Acuna's high standards, but the five-category contributor is an obvious must-stash while he recovers.

May 3

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits with Left Hamstring Tightness

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) exited during the second inning of Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. He was replaced in the lineup by outfielder Eli White. According to the Braves, Acuna experienced left hamstring tightness following a groundout. He finished the contest 1-for-2 with a single and a run. The former MVP and Rookie of the Year is having a solid season at the plate, slashing .252/.362/.378 with two home runs, 11 total extra base hits, a 13.2% walk rate, and a 20.4% strikeout rate. He has also stolen 11 bases on 14 attempts. Fantasy managers will hope that Acuna doesn't have to miss much time, if any at all. He ranks as the #2 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.

May 2

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II is Back in the Lineup on Saturday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (quad) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Harris returns to the starting lineup after missing two consecutive starts due to left quad soreness. He did come off the bench and hit a go-ahead home run during Friday's win. He appears to be healthy enough to rejoin the lineup, but he'll remain at designated hitter for this one. Through 31 games, Harris is slashing .324/.358/.569 with seven homers, 22 RBI, and two steals. The 25-year-old should be rostered and started in all fantasy formats right now.

May 2

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Out Again With Quad Injury

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (quadriceps) remains out of the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Denver against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, per MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon is starting in center field for Atlanta and will bat fifth against Rockies veteran left-hander Jose Quintana. Jorge Mateo is starting at the 6 for the Braves. Harris is being considered day-to-day for now, but if he cannot return during the weekend series in Colorado, he could land on the 10-day injured list after coming down with quadriceps tightness the other day. It's a really bad time for the 25-year-old to be injured after his really hot start to the 2026 season. Going into Friday's games, Harris is slashing .317/.352/.535 with an .887 OPS, six home runs, 20 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 101 at-bats. Both Dubon and Eli White are options to replace Harris in center field for the Braves if he continues to miss time beyond Friday's contest. Fantasy managers should check back on Saturday for an update on Harris and to see if he's back in the lineup for Game 2 in Denver.

May 1

Sean Murphy • C • Braves

Sean Murphy Likely to Rejoin Braves Next Week

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (hip) is likely to rejoin the big-league team in Seattle next week, manager Walt Weiss told Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Braves kick off a three-game series in Seattle against the Mariners on Monday, May 4. Murphy has yet to make his 2026 season debut with Atlanta after having surgery on his hip last September. When he's ready, the Braves will have a decision to make with three catches on the big-league roster in Murphy, Drake Baldwin, and Jonah Heim. Heim will most likely end up being the odd man out. When he's ready to return, fantasy managers should expect Murphy to see most of his playing time at designated hitter, at least initially. The 31-year-old is only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues, and while there are major question marks as to whether he can return to his pre-injury form, Murphy was an All-Star as recently as 2023 in his first year with the Braves. He has 82 home runs and 263 RBI over the last five seasons and should draw more attention from fantasy managers looking for more power from the catching position.

Apr 30

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Could be Forced to the Injured List

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (quadriceps) is dealing with a left-quad injury and will serve as the designated hitter for most of the team's upcoming road trip if his injury doesn't get any worse, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. However, if there's no improvement, Harris could be placed on the 10-day injured list. Now we know why Harris was out of the starting lineup for Thursday's loss to the Detroit Tigers in the series finale. The Braves head to Denver this weekend for a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies before heading to Seattle to face the Mariners early next week. Hopefully, the left-handed-hitting Harris can rest up while DH'ing and stay off the IL. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2019 has been one of the league's hottest hitters with April coming to an end, slashing .320/.355/.540 with an .895 OPS, six home runs, 20 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first 29 games in 2026. Eli White, who got the start in center field on Thursday, will see more playing time in the outfield on the team's upcoming road trip, but he offers little upside at the plate for fantasy managers.

Apr 30

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Sitting Against Tough Lefty on Thursday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II will take a seat for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Detroit Tigers with left-hander Framber Valdez on the mound, according to MLB.com. Eli White will make the start in center field for the Braves and will bat ninth. Harris typically starts against lefties, so this is probably just a good time for the Braves to give him a day off. He's gone 7-for-28 (.250) in 30 plate appearances against southpaws so far this year and has one of his six home runs on the season against them. Overall, Harris has been great in 2026, slashing .320/.355/.540 with an .895 OPS, six long balls, 20 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 29 games played. He's gone 18-for-38 (.474) with four of his six homers in 12 games across the last two weeks. There aren't many players hotter than Harris in the first month of the season, and he should be back in Atlanta's starting nine for their series opener in Colorado against the Rockies on Friday.

Apr 30

JR Ritchie • SP • Braves

JR Ritchie Sticking in Braves Starting Rotation

Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander JR Ritchie will stick around in the team's starting rotation for now, even with Spencer Strider (oblique) set to come off the 15-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies in Denver, manager Walt Weiss told Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The 22-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 made his major-league debut on April 23 against the Washington Nationals and struck out seven while giving up two earned runs in seven innings for his first big-league victory, and he followed it up with a 5 1/3-inning showing on April 29 against the Detroit Tigers in which he allowed two earned runs while fanning four. Ritchie's next scheduled outing will come against the Seattle Mariners next week, but it's unclear how Atlanta's rotation will adjust after that. For now, Ritchie remains one of the best young arms to roster in fantasy baseball, and it appears he may not be headed back to Triple-A Gwinnett after all. He's rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues, so Ritchie is widely available.

Apr 30

Atlanta Braves News

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