Sandy León: Everything you need to know

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.

Atlanta announced Wednesday that Leon will join the big club for spring training as a non-roster invitee. The 36-year-old Leon saw action in five games for Atlanta in 2025 before being outrighted off the 40-man roster following the season. After electing free agency in early October, he quickly re-signed with Atlanta on a new minor-league contract. Leon will serve as organizational depth behind the plate and will be a candidate to join the big club if Atlanta happens to be without either Drake Baldwin or Sean Murphy (hip) for any period of time.