{"id":106853,"date":"2025-09-08T17:55:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T21:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=106853"},"modified":"2025-09-08T17:55:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T21:55:26","slug":"braves-catcher-sean-murphy-sidelined-season-ending-hip-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/09\/08\/braves-catcher-sean-murphy-sidelined-season-ending-hip-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Braves Catcher Sidelined for Season with Hip Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1x3r274 r-p1pxzi\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">ATLANTA \u2014 The Atlanta Braves placed former <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/04\/13\/sean-murphy-big-for-atlanta\/\" target=\"_self\">All-Star catcher<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=murphse01,murphy010sea,murphy013sea,murphy011sea&amp;search=Sean+Murphy&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-09-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sean Murphy<\/a> on the 10-day injured list Monday with a right hip labral tear, ending his 2025 season, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Consequently, the Braves selected catcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leonsa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-09-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sandy Le\u00f3n<\/a>\u2019s contract from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill the roster spot. Moreover, <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DOBrienATL\/status\/1965136386480378246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David O\u2019Brien of The Athletic<\/a> noted that Murphy faces surgery with a four-month recovery, sidelining the 30-year-old veteran until at least spring training in 2026. Murphy will have surgery on Thursday.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_96970\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-96970\" style=\"width: 503px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-96970\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24339389_168400885_lowres-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Sean Murphy has yet to succeed with the Braves at the level that William Contreras has with the Brewers\/\" width=\"503\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24339389_168400885_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24339389_168400885_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24339389_168400885_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24339389_168400885_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24339389_168400885_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24339389_168400885_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24339389_168400885_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 503px) 100vw, 503px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-96970\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sep 27, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Sean Murphy Out for Season with Hip Injury<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Braves?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Braves<\/a> today also selected C Sandy Le\u00f3n to the major league roster and placed C Sean Murphy on the 10-day injured list with a right hip labral tear, recalled RHP Dane Dunning to Atlanta, and optioned LHP Hayden Harris to Triple-A Gwinnett.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Braves\/status\/1965133059474526324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Murphy\u2019s Performance Decline<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Before the All-Star break, Murphy excelled with a 123 wRC+ over 225 plate appearances, showcasing his power and discipline. However, his post-break performance dropped sharply to a 41 wRC+ in 112 plate appearances. Injuries, including a rib fracture and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/04\/02\/latest-sean-murphy-oblique-injury\/\" target=\"_self\">oblique strain<\/a>, hampered his consistency. As a result, Murphy finished 2025 with a .199 batting average, 16 home runs, and a .709 OPS across 94 games, a disappointing follow-up to his 2023 All-Star campaign. A new report from Grand McAuley of 929 The Game states Murphy has dealt with a hip issue for the last three seasons, but did not inform the club until this week when the pain became unbearable. He&#8217;d only recently started seeking treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Braves became more concerned with his recent play and even noticed some swing issues in his final game. Murphy preferred to finish the season, but given the need for surgery once it was checked out, the decision to have the surgery was made. The rehab process is 4 months.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/grantmcauley\/status\/1965142876918108234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Murphy-Baldwin Tandem Shines<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Meanwhile, the Braves relied on a catching tandem of Murphy and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/05\/21\/braves-aj-smith-shawver-drake-baldwin-lead-nl-rookie-of-the-year\/\" target=\"_self\">rookie<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/baldwdr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-09-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drake Baldwin<\/a>, which proved effective early in 2025. Baldwin, Atlanta\u2019s top catching prospect per MLB Pipeline, posted a .276\/.349\/.447 slash line over 333 at-bats. Their complementary skills\u2014Murphy\u2019s elite game-calling and Baldwin\u2019s emerging offense\u2014ensured defensive stability. For instance, Baldwin\u2019s 61.9% hard-hit rate and improved framing metrics bolstered his case as a reliable starter, positioning him to take over primary catching duties for the season\u2019s final weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Drake Baldwin hits a two-run home run (15) in the ninth inning as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BravesCountry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#BravesCountry<\/a><br \/>\n<a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XEObI3RJ0n\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/XEObI3RJ0n<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rockford Maverick (@RockfordMav) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RockfordMav\/status\/1962339600635932944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 1, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1x3r274 r-p1pxzi\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Future Implications for Murphy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<div><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1x3r274 r-p1pxzi\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Sean Murphy\u2019s injury clouds his future with Atlanta. Under contract through 2028 at $15 million annually, with a $15 million club option for 2029, his recurring injuries contrast with Baldwin\u2019s breakout. Although Braves President Alex Anthopoulos avoided trading players with control before the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/07\/31\/braves-trade-deadline-was-failure-by-alex-anthopoulous\/\" target=\"_self\">2025 deadline<\/a>, Baldwin\u2019s emergence may prompt a reevaluation. Specifically, the 24-year-old\u2019s cost-effective contract and offensive upside could shift him into the primary role, especially if Murphy\u2019s recovery falters.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Braves\u2019 Playoff Hopes Long Gone<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<div><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Currently, the Braves sit 12 games out of the final Wild Card spot with 21 games left, all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Thus, Murphy\u2019s focus shifts to recovery for his seventh MLB season and fourth with Atlanta. Meanwhile, Baldwin\u2019s performance offers hope for 2026, potentially reshaping the Braves\u2019 catching hierarchy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Main Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ATLANTA \u2014 The Atlanta Braves placed former All-Star catcher Sean Murphy on the 10-day injured list Monday with a right hip labral tear, ending his 2025 season, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Consequently, the Braves selected catcher Sandy Le\u00f3n\u2019s contract from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill the roster spot. Moreover, David O\u2019Brien of The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5310,"featured_media":96748,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,1071,35],"tags":[28943,902,3074],"class_list":["post-106853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-braves","category-mlb","category-news","tag-drake-baldwin","tag-sandy-leon","tag-sean-murphy"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5310"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106853"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":106864,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106853\/revisions\/106864"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}