The Atlanta Braves were hit with devastating injury news when Ronald Acuna Jr. suffered a season-ending torn ACL. While the Braves won't be able to make up his production, Atlanta does have some powerful reinforcements on the way.
The Braves have activated catcher Sean Murphy off of the injured list, via Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He had missed all but one game in 2024 as he battled through an oblique injury. In other injury news, Atlanta has recalled JP Martinez to take Acuna's spot on the roster while Joey Wendle has been designated for assignment.
Murphy suffered his injury on an awkward swing on the first day of the season. While it took longer than the minimum 10 days to return, Murphy's rehab assignment proved that he is gearing up to go. Over a four-game stint in Triple-A, the backstop hit .278 with two home runs and four RBI. Inserted back into the lineup on Monday, Murphy was batting fifth.
His return couldn't have come at a better time for the Braves, although Atlanta was hoping to avoid it entirely. Acuna's ACL tear is the second of his career and is now on his opposite knee. The reigning MVP was hitting .250 with four home runs, 15 RBI and 16 stolen bases through his first 49 games.
Murphy certainly won't match Acuna's speed or ability to set the tone at the top of the order. But the catcher does bring some prodigious power back to Atlanta. While they'll be a much different team now, the Braves are still fighting for a playoff spot with their 30-20 record. No longer having Acuna available, Atlanta is now counting on Sean Murphy to help lead the playoff charge.
What Sean Murphy brings to Braves
Atlanta swung a major trade with the Oakland Athletics to acquire Murphy, sending away young backstop William Contreras to the Milwaukee Brewers. But in his first year with the Braves, Murphy proved why they were willing to pay such a hefty price.
Over 108 games, the catcher earned his first career All-Star appearance by hitting .251 with 21 home runs and 68 RBI. His batting average, home runs and RBI were all career-highs. But while his 2023 season made him a household name, Murphy was putting up similar numbers during his time with the A's. he has at least 17 home runs and 66 RBI since 2021. In Atlanta, Murphy has just been more consistent at the plate.
Signed through the 2029 season, injuries will be the only thing keeping Murphy from behind the plate in Atlanta. Sans Acuna, the Braves will be looking for players such as Murphy, Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna to carry the load.
A quartet of talent bolstered by the return of their star catcher. The Braves' path to a World Series has gotten much bleaker. But after missing essentially the entire season thus far, Murphy is ready to shine a light over Atlanta.
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