Braves catcher Sean Murphy is headed out on a minor league rehab assignment, the team announced this morning. He’ll report to Atlanta’s High-A affiliate tonight, kicking off a rehab window that can last up to 20 days.
Murphy, 31, looked last year to be on his way to a nice rebound effort from a down showing in 2024. He missed some time early due to an oblique strain and a fractured rib but posted a hearty .240./331/.514 slash (131 wRC+) with 16 home runs in his first 239 plate appearances last year.
Murphy’s production began to dwindle in late July, however, and it cratered over the next month-plus before he was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his hip, necessitating season-ending surgery. Over his final 98 plate appearances, the former All-Star batted only .096/.224/.145 — brutal numbers that certainly appear to depict a player who had been attempting to gut out an injury of note.
Prior to Murphy’s struggles last summer, the Braves had begun using both him and fellow catcher (and eventual Rookie of the Year winner) Drake Baldwin in the same lineup — one behind the plate and the other at designated hitter. With Marcell Ozuna‘s contract expiring at season’s end, that setup looked like it could carry over into the 2026 season. There was naturally some speculation about the possibility of trading Murphy and the remaining three years/$45MM on his contract as Baldwin emerged into stardom, but that possibility seemed like a long shot once Murphy required surgery. No team was going to take on the remaining contract — let alone do so and give up something of note.
With Murphy’s rehab lingering into the ’26 season, the door seemed open for Jurickson Profar to take regular at-bats as the DH in Atlanta. The Braves signed Mike Yastrzemski in the offseason, adding him to an outfield mix also including Profar, Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. Instead, Profar’s second PED suspension of the past year prompted a 162-game ban and paved the way for minor league signee Dominic Smith to make the roster. Smith has been beyond a pleasant surprise; he’s been one the most productive hitters in the league, albeit in a limited role. Through 37 plate appearances, he’s homered three times while slashing .353/.378/.647.
Smith’s track record suggests he’s not going to sustain anything close to this pace, but he’s hit so well that Atlanta won’t be in any rush to move on from him. It feels likelier that Murphy’s return would spell trouble for veteran Jonah Heim, who signed a one-year deal during camp and has thus far gone 3-for-19 in 22 plate appearances. Heim had a breakout showing with the ’23 World Series champion Rangers but followed it up with a .217/.269/.334 performance in two subsequent seasons before being non-tendered by Texas.
At least for the time being, the Braves needn’t make any roster decisions just yet. Murphy is going to need a fairly lengthy buildup after missing all of spring training. He hasn’t seen game action since Sept. 6. It’s unlikely this will be just a quick two- or three-game rehab stint. But the start of the clock on his 20-day window does establish a pretty set deadline for the Braves to make a call on a veteran player who can’t be optioned (e.g. Heim) before too long, barring additional injuries that arise in the next couple weeks.
Does anyone know?
We all do. You are the only one that doesn’t.
What do you mean?
I also know. Not a paid insider, but someone next to me at a urinal at a Waffle House in Murfreesboro told me.
Glad I know.
We may never be truly certain.
Does everybody know or no?
I still like my Murphy to Boston trade for Oviedo and Story.
Boston:
-Trevor Story
-Johan Oviedo
–for–
Atlanta:
-Sean Murphy
-Ha Seong Kim
-Jurickson Profar
but with the way Story is playing, Boston has to add a player. Justin Gonzalez makes that trade for the Braves. Murphy a nice add for Boston.
That’s some fantasy league nonsense level trade right there, but sure keep dreaming.
I dont think the trade is that bad for either team.
Braves shed 8M in payroll, free themselves of a Profar problem, add Story at SS, a potential impact starter in Oviedo and a top prospect in Gonzalez who could be Boston’s best. They cant count on Schwellenbach or Waldrep and as good as Fuentes and Ritchie look, as good as Perez has been, there is still a lot of injury risk with Sale, Holmes, Lopez and Strider. Oviedo too has some injury risk but he was pitching good in limited innings this spring when he was strong. Story got off to a slow start but he hit .263/.308/.433 last season and thats about what Id expect from him this season, its likely better than what Kim would post if he was healthy.
For Boston, they add Murphy at C, free themselves of 25M on Story in ’27, opens up the roster some in ’26 with Kim taking a back seat to Mayer / Durbin / Gonzalez despite his 20M contract, and they add Profar, who despite his tarnished reputation, is a good player. Profar opens up the doon to a Duran trade, potentially at the deadline or in the off season.
I dont feel like Boston’s lineup is much weaker without Story, feel like removing him from the fold frees everybody up some.
I think Story fits in real nicely with the Braves too, who have played well and could be there in October.
Mauricio Dubon is the biggest reason why this trade doesnt work for ATL but Dubon got starts at CF and LF so Story could fit alongside Dubon who the Braves have to keep on the field.
Crochet injury concern is the biggest reason the trade doesnt work for Boston. Gonzalez also a lot to give up. He is a tank but its Gonzalez that makes the deal work for Atlanta.
Interesting trade, a lot to give up for both teams, a lot to gain for both teams.
Profar may never play another game.
That’s a silly trade idea that likely gets rejected for multiple reasons. Murphy won’t be traded. AA doesn’t trade guys that he extends. Full stop. Profar is a sunk cost at this point, Kim may have been usurped by Dubon at SS which means we don’t need Story. And he’s expensive and fragile. And Oviedo is hurt isn’t he?
Kyle Farmer is on the Braves 26-man roster on a split deal. He’d obviously be the first one to be sent to AAA for Murphy.
The question becomes who goes for Kim next month?
We’ll see if Smith and Mateo are still hitting. The Braves could work out a trade for Heim, as well.
No, it’s not obvious. Heim is likely the choice.