The Atlanta Braves had some disappointing news to share involving catcher Sean Murphy on Tuesday.
The Atlanta Braves are entering what should be an extremely competitive series beginning on Tuesday as they host the Chicago Cubs. Both clubs lead their respective divisions and have been two of the best teams in baseball.
Unfortunately, the Braves will head into the series down a player who had only just returned. Catcher Sean Murphy was activated from the 10-day injured list on May 4 after missing the start of the season due to right hip labrum surgery.
He has struggled in his first four games back, collecting just one hit in 14 plate appearances, but his presence still mattered. Having Murphy available has allowed the Braves to give Drake Baldwin occasional days off his feet at designated hitter, keeping the former NL Rookie of the Year fresh and in the lineup every day. Now that will not be the case, as Murphy is headed back to the injured list.
“The #Braves today signed free agent C Sandy Leon to a major league contract and placed C Sean Murphy on the 10-day injured list, backdated to May 11, with a fractured left middle finger. Atlanta today also selected OF Jose Azocar to the major league roster after optioning INF Jim Jarvis to Triple-A Gwinnett yesterday,” the Braves wrote on X.
Murphy’s injury occurred on a catcher’s interference play during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hyeseong Kim swung at a pitch and made contact with Murphy’s glove.
After the game, manager Walt Weiss said Murphy would undergo X-rays but expected him to not miss any time. Instead, imaging revealed a fracture, sending Murphy back to the IL.
It is unclear how long he will be sidelined, but it is a frustrating setback. Injuries have been a recurring theme for Murphy. He was limited to fewer than 100 games in both 2024 and 2025 due to various setbacks, including hip problems that eventually required surgery last September.
While Murphy was out earlier this year, Atlanta used a catching tandem of Baldwin and Jonah Heim. When Murphy returned, Heim was designated for assignment and traded to the Athletics.
With Murphy now unavailable again, the Braves needed a new backup option leading to the signing of Sandy Leon.
Leon is a glove-first veteran who began this season with Triple-A Gwinnett before being released after hitting .118 in ten games. He is unlikely to provide much offense, but his experience will give Atlanta much-needed depth as they navigate another stretch without Murphy in the mix.