The Atlanta Braves have the best record in the MLB following their series win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. On Tuesday, the Braves are set to square off against the equally as hot Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Hours before the most anticipated series thus far, the Braves announced a trio of roster changes on X after catcher Sean Murphy finds his way back onto the IL.
“The #Braves today signed free agent C Sandy León to a major league contract and placed C Sean Murphy on the 10-day injured list, backdated to May 11, with a fractured left middle finger. Atlanta today also selected OF José Azócar to the major league roster after optioning INF Jim Jarvis to Triple-A Gwinnett yesterday.”
Murphy received an X-Ray on Sunday after sustaining the injury on a catcher’s interference against the Dodgers. The 31-year-old made his season debut on May 5, and was 1-for-14 in his four games back before his new IL stint.
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Sean Murphy’s Injury Returns Sandy León and José Azócar to Atlanta Braves
Sean Murphy has played eight professional seasons in the MLB, four with the Athletics and four with the Braves. In 2022, Murphy signed a six-year, $73 million extension after the Braves acquired him from the A’s following his statistically best season yet.
However, injuries have followed Murphy since the 2024 and received season-ending hip surgery in early September last season which caused him to miss the first month and a half in 2026.
The veteran’s IL stint is set for only 10 days as right now, which created quite the ripple effect within the organization.
“Sandy León is back after recently playing in Mexico,” Braves beat writer Mark Bowman wrote on X. “With [Ha-Seong] Kim back there’s more of a need for an OF. So Azocar is up and Jarvis goes to Gwinnett.”
León, 37, played five games with the Braves in 2025. He was later released by the Braves ahead of the 2026 season and joined the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Mexican Baseball League.
Outfielder Jose Azocar was DFA’d early in the season by the Braves after going hitless in his only two plate appearances with Atlanta. On Monday the Braves decided to reunite with Azocar on a new minor league deal.
Following Murphy’s injury, the Braves selected the 30-year-old to the 40-man roster, while optioning 25-year-old Jim Jarvis back to Triple-A.
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Drake Baldwin to Takeover as No. 1 Catcher Following Sean Murphy’s Injury
During the short time that Murphy was back in action for the Braves this season, the team leader in OBP Drake Baldwin, was DH instead of behind the plate.
Per CBS Sports, “Drake Baldwin will operate as the club’s clear No. 1 catcher moving forward, while Dominic Smith is a candidate to get more run at designated hitter.”
Despite the signing of Sandy León, the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year will be the Braves starting catcher moving forward.
Baldwin has been one of the Braves best hitters this season, with splits of .297/.383/.509, ten home runs, and 32 RBIs. While his hot start has cooled off a bit, the 25-year-old backstop is hitting .257 with three home runs, a double, seven RBI, and five runs scored in the month of May.
Atlanta Braves Announce Sean Murphy Injury Update Amid Roster Change