Story by
How much time will Braves’ Sean Murphy miss with injury?
- Story by
- How much time will Braves’ Sean Murphy miss with injury?
How much time will Braves' Sean Murphy miss with injury? appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
It has been one miserable stretch of luck for Sean Murphy . The 31-year-old Braves catcher had only just returned from a lengthy hip surgery recovery, making his 2026 season debut on May 4 after spending the entire first month of the year on the injured list, when his night ended abruptly in the seventh inning Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers . Hyeseong Kim 's bat clipped Murphy's hand during a catcher's interference play, and the early signs weren't encouraging.
Now, Braves manager Walt Weiss has delivered the official verdict : Atlanta is anticipating an eight-week absence for Murphy to heal properly, and after that, he'll still need additional time to get back up to baseball speed.
Advertisement
That caveat matters. For a catcher, "getting back up to baseball speed" isn't as simple as running sprints and taking batting practice. It means working through the full battery of defensive responsibilities, blocking balls in the dirt, throwing down to second, managing a pitching staff, and absorbing foul tips night after night. The 8-week healing window is just the first phase. A return to full catching readiness typically adds several more weeks on top.
It's a brutal blow for a player whose body has simply refused to cooperate in recent seasons. Murphy reportedly played on a "diseased hip" for three years before finally undergoing surgery last September, a testament to his toughness, but also an explanation for why his numbers have cratered to below the Mendoza Line in two consecutive seasons . Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has remained steadfastly optimistic , saying, "I expect him to be back to the player he was".
In Murphy's absence, Drake Baldwin , who replaced him behind the plate immediately on Sunday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI, will take over primary catching duties once again. Atlanta also still has Ronald Acuña Jr. working his way back from a hamstring strain, meaning the Braves' injury ward is uncomfortably crowded as they try to chase down the NL East.
Murphy was a first-time All-Star in his debut Braves season in 2023, slugging 21 home runs and driving in 80 runs. Getting back to that version of him remains the goal, but first, the healing has to hold.
Related: How Braves will honor Bobby Cox for rest of 2026 season
Related: Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. trending in right direction, but there's a catch
