Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss had an injury update on catcher Sean Murphy.
The Atlanta Braves have continued to monitor the progress of catcher Sean Murphy as he works his way back from injury.
Murphy, who began the 2026 season on the injured list, is recovering from surgery last September to repair a right hip labral tear. The injury required a lengthy recovery process and limited his ability to participate in spring training, leaving him in a position where he must now ramp up during the regular season.
Ahead of Sunday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Braves manager Walt Weiss had an update on Murphy's status.
“Walt Weiss says that catcher Sean Murphy had another simulated game today in which he caught and had six at-bats,” reported Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Weiss continued, “Now it's just a matter of building him up, getting him the reps and the volume because he didn't have a spring training. This is his spring training right now.”
That update provides a clearer picture of where Murphy stands. While he is progressing and taking part in game-like activity, the need to build him up suggests he is still a few weeks away from returning to game action. If everything continues without setbacks, a return sometime in April appears to be a realistic target.
Murphy’s absence has been softened by the emergence of Drake Baldwin, who broke out during the 2025 season and went on to win National League Rookie of the Year honors. Baldwin’s presence has reduced Murphy’s role compared to what it was when he first arrived in Atlanta, but the veteran catcher still has an important part to play.
Over the past two seasons, Murphy has dealt with both injuries and declining offensive production. In 2025, he appeared in 94 games and posted a .199 batting average, .300 on-base percentage and .709 OPS with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs. It marked the second straight year he failed to reach the 100-game mark, raising questions about durability.
Despite those struggles, Murphy has proven his value before. After being acquired from the Athletics ahead of the 2023 season, he earned his first All-Star selection in his debut year with Atlanta and played a key role in the lineup.
He remains under contract through the 2028 season on a six-year, $73 million extension, meaning the Braves are counting on him to contribute moving forward.
For a team already dealing with multiple injuries, getting Murphy back would provide valuable depth behind the plate and another experienced bat in the lineup. Even if his role has shifted slightly, his presence could help balance the roster as Atlanta looks to stay competitive early in the season. For now, the focus remains on his recovery process.