The Atlanta Braves have World Series aspirations this season, and one of the main reasons they’d be able to make it to the big stage was catcher Sean Murphy. With the catcher leaving the game today, the Sean Murphy injury has added a layer of uncertainty to the catching situation. The Braves should have enough to weather the storm, but it might be a bit rocky.
Sean Murphy Injury is an Apparent Oblique Issue
Sean Murphy will hit the IL with an oblique injury after departing the Atlanta Braves’ Opening Day game against the Philadelphia Phillies. There isn’t any timetable, and the severity of the injury is currently unknown. Sean Murphy is one of the better catchers in MLB rankings, and this injury will definitely leave a hole for the Atlanta Braves. However, even without the catcher, the team still has veteran backstop Travis d’Arnaud in the fold to hold down the fort.
The Catching Tandem for the Atlanta Braves
According to David O’Brien of the Athletic, Chadwick Tromp will get the opportunity to step in as the backup in the wake of the Sean Murphy injury. Tromp is your typical backup catcher that offers very little with the bat, but can handle the pitching staff. He’s spent the last two years with the Atlanta Braves organization.
Sean Murphy to IL with oblique strain. Chadwick Tromp will come up to back Travis d’Arnaud.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 29, 2024
Aside from Tromp, the Braves will use Travis d’Arnaud, who has had brilliant seasons but is coming off a season that leaves a lot to be desired. In 2023, he played in 74 games and slashed .225/.288/.397 with an OPS+ of 82. He’s a serviceable backup catcher at this point in his career, and Sean Murphy was limited to just 108 games last year—not due to injury but more so that d’Arnaud had sufficient playing time.
Sean Murphy slashed .251/.365/478 last season, good for an OPS+ of 125 in his first full season with the Braves after being traded from the Oakland Athletics. The Braves will definitely miss his presence, but with a loaded lineup, they should be able to hold down the fort in the AL East until his return.
