Braves' Sean Murphy Takes Key Step in Injury Recovery

Atlanta's elite defensive catcher is working his way back from a right hip injury that required surgery.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:45am

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a baseball catcher in various overlapping perspectives, using muted earth tones to capture the complex movements and defensive prowess of the position.A fractured, geometric interpretation of a baseball catcher's movements, reflecting the intricate defensive skills that make Sean Murphy an elite backstop.Atlanta Today

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy, one of the best defensive catchers in MLB, has taken a key step in his recovery from a right hip injury that required surgery and caused him to miss the start of the 2026 season. According to reports, Murphy recently caught three innings in a simulated game with the team's High-A affiliate as he works his way back to full strength.

Why it matters

The Braves have depth at catcher with the emergence of Drake Baldwin, but Murphy's elite defensive skills are crucial for the team. His return will provide a major boost to the Braves' pitching staff and overall defensive capabilities behind the plate.

The details

Murphy, 31, was one of the best catchers in baseball from 2021 to 2023, recording a total fWAR of 13.5 over that span. However, the last two seasons have been challenging, as he missed significant time due to an oblique injury in 2024 and underwent hip surgery in September 2025. While the Braves have managed without him thanks to Baldwin's strong play, Murphy's return will be crucial as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.

  • On Thursday, Murphy caught three innings in a simulated game with Atlanta's High-A affiliate.
  • Murphy still has to work up to catching a full nine-inning game and do so on consecutive games during his rehab assignment before the Braves deem him ready for activation from the injured list.

The players

Sean Murphy

A 31-year-old catcher for the Atlanta Braves who is one of the best defensive catchers in MLB. He is currently recovering from a right hip injury that required surgery and caused him to miss the start of the 2026 season.

Drake Baldwin

The Braves' primary catcher in Murphy's absence, who has emerged as a strong defensive option behind the plate.

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What they’re saying

“Murphy still has to work up to catching a full nine-inning game, and he'll have to do so on consecutive games during his rehab assignment before the team deems him ready for activation from the injured list.”

— Mark Bowman, MLB.com reporter

What’s next

The Braves will continue to monitor Murphy's progress during his rehab assignment, and he must demonstrate he can catch a full game on consecutive days before the team activates him from the injured list.

The takeaway

Sean Murphy's return to full health is crucial for the Braves, as his elite defensive skills behind the plate will provide a major boost to the team's pitching staff and overall defensive capabilities. While the Braves have managed well in his absence, Murphy's presence will be invaluable as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.