Sandy León: Everything you need to know

Atlanta signed Leon to a major-league contract Tuesday. The veteran backstop signed with Atlanta as a non-roster invitee in February but failed to make the Opening Day roster and was released in April to pursue an opportunity in the Mexican League. Leon is back on a big-league deal this time since Sean Murphy (finger) was placed on the injured list. Leon should serve as the backup to Drake Baldwin while Murphy is sidelined.

Leon is working toward securing his release from Atlanta in order to sign with Mexican League club Sarapelos de Saltillo, baseball journalist Georgeny Perez reports. Leon saw action in five games at the big-league level with Atlanta in 2025, but even with Sean Murphy (hip) beginning the current season on the injured list, the 37-year-old journeyman backstop was unable to beat out Jonah Heim for the No. 2 catcher spot on the Opening Day roster. After being reassigned to minor-league camp, Leon reported to Triple-A Gwinnett, with whom he's slashed .118/.268/.118 over 41 plate appearances. Expect Leon and Atlanta to finalize a formal agreement to part ways in the coming days.

Atlanta reassigned Leon to minor-league camp Friday. Leon saw action in five big-league games with Atlanta in 2025 but had little chance of cracking the Opening Day roster after the club signed Jonah Heim to a one-year deal shortly before the start of spring training. Heim will head into the season as the top backup to No. 1 catcher Drake Baldwin while Sean Murphy (hip) misses at least the first month of the campaign. Leon will likely need at least two of Baldwin, Heim and Murphy to be shelved at a given time before earning another opportunity with the big club.