Braves Await Strider, Murphy Injury Comebacks Before Potential Phillies Sweep

Atlanta's pitching and catching depth could get a major boost with the return of two key players.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of the Braves' navy blue and red colors, as well as the Phillies' red and white colors, creating a dynamic, fragmented visual representation of the sport.The Braves' pitching and catching depth could get a major boost as they look to sweep their division rival Phillies.Philadelphia Today

The Atlanta Braves are on a four-game winning streak and have a chance to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. However, they're also closely monitoring the rehab assignments of two crucial players - starting pitcher Spencer Strider and catcher Sean Murphy. Both are working their way back from injuries and will move their rehab to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, putting them one step closer to rejoining the major league roster.

Why it matters

Strider and Murphy are important pieces for the Braves, with Strider anchoring the starting rotation and Murphy providing power and run production in the lineup. Their returns could give the Braves an even bigger boost as they look to maintain their lead in the NL East.

The details

Strider is recovering from an oblique strain and made his first rehab appearance on Thursday for High-A Rome, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings. The Braves will be watching his pitch count and velocity closely as he moves up to Triple-A. Murphy, meanwhile, is coming back from hip surgery and has appeared in three games on his rehab assignment, all for High-A Rome, though he has yet to record a hit. The Braves are hoping both players can make an impact when they return to the majors.

  • Strider and Murphy will move their rehab assignments to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, April 22.
  • Strider made his first rehab appearance on Thursday, April 17.

The players

Spencer Strider

A right-handed starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves who is recovering from an oblique strain. Strider had a 4.45 ERA and 131/51 K/BB ratio in 2025.

Sean Murphy

A catcher for the Atlanta Braves who is recovering from hip surgery. Murphy hit .199 with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs in 2025.

Drake Baldwin

A burgeoning star catcher for the Atlanta Braves.

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What they’re saying

“Still early in the season, Atlanta will be cautious with both Strider and Murphy. But how they handle the Triple-A level will determine how quickly they're back in the majors.”

— Grant McAuley, 92.9 The Game reporter

What’s next

The Braves will closely monitor Strider and Murphy's performances at Triple-A Gwinnett to determine when they are ready to rejoin the major league roster.

The takeaway

The potential returns of Spencer Strider and Sean Murphy could provide a major boost to the Braves' pitching rotation and lineup as they look to maintain their lead in the NL East. However, the team will take a cautious approach, allowing the players to fully recover and prove themselves at the Triple-A level before activating them.