What's next for Strider and Murphy as they continue to recover from injury?
The Atlanta Braves have had a strong start to the new season. However, Spencer Strider and Sean Murphy have yet to play in a game this season. Strider is recovering from an oblique injury, while Murphy is battling back from a hip injury. Strider and Murphy have started their injury rehab assignments, though. According to Chad Bishop, Strider and Murphy will play in their next rehab games on Tuesday, where they will both start.
Murphy and Strider will start at Triple-A on Tuesday. It seems as if they are both trending in the right direction. Atlanta is understandably being cautious with the situation. With that being said, both players could end up returning fairly soon if no setbacks occur.
Braves Need Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy
Strider, 27, is hoping for a bounce back season after he pitched to an underwhelming 4.45 ERA in 2025. Strider was one of the better starting pitchers in MLB during the 2023 campaign, however, as he finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting.
His ceiling remains high. Strider could still have his bounce back season despite his delayed start to the new campaign. It remains to be seen when he will return, but Strider is seemingly on the right path.
Murphy is another player who was an All-Star in 2023 but has struggled in recent years. In 94 games played in 2025, the Braves catcher hit just .199/.300/.409. In 2023, though, Murphy slashed .251/.365/.478.
Drake Baldwin has emerged as a catcher of the future in Atlanta, but Murphy is still more than capable of making an impact. The Braves have performed well in 2026, but they will not complain about having another All-Star caliber catcher return.
Braves Looking to Sweep Phillies
The Braves continue to upset expectations in 2026. Their injuries during spring training led many to believe that Atlanta could struggle early in the new season. Yet, the Braves are currently in first place in the National League East division with a 14-7 record. Additionally, Atlanta can sweep the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday with a victory.
The Braves defeated the Phillies on the road on Friday and Saturday. Philadelphia was among the favorites in the NL East heading into 2026, but the Phillies are just 8-12 overall at the moment.
The Braves and the Phillies will go head-to-head on Sunday night at 7:20 PM EST as Atlanta looks to complete the sweep on the road.