The Braves have signed catcher Austin Nola to a minor league deal, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The contract contains an invitation to Atlanta’s big league spring camp.
Nola appeared in 345 MLB games with the Padres and Mariners from 2019-2023, posting some very solid numbers at the plate before his production tailed off badly by the 2023 campaign. Nola spent the 2024 season with the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate without getting any more playing time in the Show, and he moved on to sign a minor league deal with the Rockies last winter.
The early part of Nola’s 2025 campaign was spent battling injuries, but he played well enough at Triple-A to earn a selection to Colorado’s active roster. Nola didn’t fare nearly as well, hitting .184/.225/.211 over 41 plate appearances and 14 games with the Rox before being designated for assignment and then outrighted off the 40-man roster in August. He elected free agency rather than accept that outright assignment, so Nola has had a bit of extra time to line up his next stop.
Atlanta is set at the MLB level with Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy as their catchers, but Chuckie Robinson is the only other backstop in the system with any big league experience. Nola can provide some depth for the Braves in camp, and could even chip in as a reserve first baseman. Now entering his age-36 season, time may be running out for Nola to re-establish himself as even a backup in the majors, but a good showing in Spring Training could win him a Triple-A job with the Braves or perhaps a look elsewhere with a team with a less stable catching situation.
Sean Murphy trade confirmed
Murphy coming off an injury doesn’t have much trade value; he would have to show that he is healthy in 2026 for that to happen. This is a low risk high reward move for Atl. I won’t read too much into it
He’ll be too expensive for John Fisher, fjmendez.
A’s are good with Langeliers. Thank you Atlanta!
lol Mendez. Murphy is staying put.
You might be right. I hope not though. Murphy is one of the best defensive catchers in the game who’s going to average 20 to 30 homers a year, those kind of people do not grow on trees. We need to resign Kim, add one starting pitcher and a reliever and hope all the injuries we had last go away. It wouldn’t make me mad if we traded Profar but I’m afraid we are stuck with him.
@olereb
I would love to see Murph hit 20-30 hrs a year, but he has only even hit 20 once. It might be more like 18-20 per year.
If the Braves could get a decent return for Murph then they should consider trading him. I don’t think they will since he is coming off surgery. They likely hang on to him for 2026 at least.
Murphy would have to show he is healthy and that big bat again to have value the Braves would be selling low on Murphy. This is a solid depth move.
Yeah, why take a team strength with Baldwin and Murphy and give up that advantage? Baldwin still very young and can use the mentoring; Murph is not all that expensive and they can still get both of them in the lineup if they choose to DH Baldwin at times.
I really feel like Chuckie bobblehead night would be a big hit.
Nola can also play 2B. Decent guy to have as AAA depth.
They finally got their A. Nola
DMC I am glad the missed out on Aaron Nola.
I am, too. Not too happy about missing out on Jeff Hoffman though, but good on TOR. Slay the beast.
This is purely a depth move, but slightly noteworthy because he also would be a reserve option at 1B.
Mold is 35 years old .. Came up as a SS but was converted to catcher .. A depth move .
So he can backup SS?