"When Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy underwent season-ending surgery last September, there were questions as to how the issue with his hip had gotten so bad without being addressed. Throughout this off-season, Murphy's availability for Opening Day 2026 was hinted at being in question. This weekend, MLB's Mark Bowman published an article previewing the Spring Training and in it, he strongly alluded to Murphy's injury preventing him from being on the regular season roster once Atlanta starts playing games that count in 2026."
"For context, Bowman was answering his own theoretical question as to why Murphy couldn't be used as an asset to trade for starting pitching. He answer was, "Well, it sounds like Murphy will miss the start of the season while recovering from right hip surgery." (The link it to his article on September 8, 2025, about Murphy's surgery.) That doesn't mean that Murphy won't be ready for Opening Day, but it is the most recent statement that indicates that there is doubt about his readiness."
"With pitchers and catcher reporting to North Port in a month, it is worth a quick recap of Atlanta's catching depth, as it stands now. As a reminder, the Brave traded for Jason Delay and signed James McCann before last regular season. While neither player made it to Atlanta - frankly, McCann should have posting a 110 wRC+ with Arizona after they signed him - it shows that a late-in-the-off-season move to add another backstop shouldn't be ruled out."
Sean Murphy underwent season-ending right hip surgery last September. Murphy is expected to miss the start of the 2026 season while recovering from right hip surgery. That potential absence reduces the Braves' ability to use Murphy as a trade asset for starting pitching and raises doubt about his Opening Day readiness. Pitchers and catchers report to North Port in a month, prompting a review of Atlanta's catching depth. The Braves have two catchers on the 40-man roster: Murphy and Drake Baldwin, the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year, who is expected to be the starting catcher. Atlanta pursued Jason Delay and signed James McCann before the last regular season, and neither player reached Atlanta, leaving a late off-season addition possible.
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