Alex Anthopoulos provides update on Drake Baldwin

Braves star catcher Drake Baldwin has been out since May 18th after suffering a Grade 1 oblique strain. It was the best possible diagnosis given the alternatives, but it’s still an incredibly tricky injury to recover from — particularly for a catcher, a position that puts a unique amount of stress on the body.

A conclusive timeline on his return has yet to be given, but general manager Alex Anthopoulos offered some hints before yesterday’s game against the Reds. He noted it’s typically a three to four week recovery, and that given the importance of being fully healthy before returning, the Braves tend to err on the side of caution in these situations.

That caution is warranted. Baldwin has been the club’s best player through the first two months — hitting over .300 with 13 home runs and a .931 OPS — and may already be the best offensive catcher in the game. Everyone wants him back, but the last thing anybody wants is for this to flare up again and land him on the IL a second time.

Atlanta also has absolutely no reason to rush him. They’ve continued to win games in his absence, maintaining a massive advantage in the NL East. Entering the new week, the Braves sit a full nine games ahead of the Nationals and 9.5 games ahead of the Phillies.

Anthopoulos added that he doesn’t anticipate Baldwin needing a rehab assignment once he’s cleared, given the amount of game action he’s already logged this season. That likely puts his return sometime in June.