Braves' Sean Murphy to Miss 4-6 Weeks with Cracked Rib

The Atlanta Braves will be without their starting catcher, Sean Murphy, for the next four to six weeks due to a cracked rib. Murphy sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch during a Grapefruit League game. This setback means Murphy will miss the start of the regular season, leaving a significant gap in the Braves' lineup. Murphy, a former All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner, had a challenging 2024 season, hitting .193 with 10 home runs in 72 games. Despite his struggles, the Braves were counting on him to bounce back this year, especially after parting ways with backup catcher Travis d'Arnaud.
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With Murphy sidelined, the Braves will look to their top prospect, Drake Baldwin, to potentially fill the void. Baldwin, who is not yet on the 40-man roster, has shown promise in the minors and could make his big league debut on Opening Day. The Braves also have other in-house options, including Chadwick Tromp and veteran non-roster invitees Curt Casali and Sandy León. As the team navigates this early-season challenge, they will need to rely on their depth and resilience to maintain their competitive edge.