The Atlanta Braves can’t seem to catch a break with their injuries, as catcher Sean Murphy has found himself back on the injured list. According to an announcement by the Atlanta Braves on X, Murphy was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a fractured left middle finger.
Murphy was recently reinstated from the injured list on May 4 after recovering from right hip labrum repair over the offseason and into this season. Since returning, Murphy has played in four games and has one hit and six strikeouts.
To take Murphy’s place as the backup catcher to Drake Baldwin, the Atlanta Braves signed veteran catcher Sandy Leon to a major league contract. Leon, 37, has been a solid catcher, playing 13 seasons, spending five games with the Braves last season.
Leon is not known for his bat, with a career slash line of .207/.275/.311 with an OPS of .585, but for his defense. In his 13 seasons behind the dish, Leon has proven to be an above-average defender (10 defensive runs saved in 523 games at catcher). Leon has played baseball this year, playing 10 games in an independent league in Mexico.
In another move, the Atlanta Braves selected the contract of outfielder Jose Azocar to the major league roster, while optioning infielder Jim Jarvis to Triple-A Gwinnett. Azocar had been designated for assignment to clear a spot for Jarvis, who had his contract selected from Gwinnett on May 6. The 25-year-old had one hit and two strikeouts in five at-bats with the Braves.
The #Braves today signed free agent C Sandy León 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 José Azócar to the major league roster after optioning INF Jim…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 12, 2026
Atlanta Braves Could Be Interested in Catching Depth at Deadline
Murphy’s nagging injuries may put the Braves in the market to acquire catching depth at the trade deadline (Aug. 3) this season. The 31-year-old’s injury comes at the worst time, as the Braves traded away his replacement, catcher Jonah Heim. Heim was traded to the Athletics for cash considerations on May 4.
The Braves could have gone with three catchers on the active roster, which could have come in handy now. Baldwin and Leon are the only two catchers on the 40-man roster; they have Chadwick Tromp in Triple-A as another option to see time behind the plate.
This lack of catching depth and Murphy’s health are questions as the season progresses; acquiring another veteran catcher at the deadline will help the Braves’ roster.
Main Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
