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Braves add catcher in wake of injuries

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated May 21, 2026 4:01 PM ET

Ahead of their series finale with the Marlins, the Braves announced the addition of catcher Maverick Handley, who they claimed off waivers from the Orioles. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, Hurston Waldrep has been moved to the 60-day IL.

The #Braves today claimed C Maverick Handley off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred RHP Hurston Waldrep to the 60-day injured list.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 21, 2026

Handley has appeared in exactly one major-league game this season with one at-bat. Last year he played in 16 games for the Orioles, and the numbers were less than stellar — a .073 batting average and .207 OPS.

He has posted some respectable offensive numbers in Triple-A over the last two seasons, however. In five games this year he has an .879 OPS, and he posted a .740 OPS over 38 games last season.

But this is obviously not someone the Braves want catching every day. It’s debatable whether he’s even an upgrade over what the club currently has in Chadwick Tromp and Sandy Leon. This move was most likely made simply to add organizational depth at the position in case another injury surfaces.

The Braves’ decision to transfer Hurston Waldrep to the 60-day IL doesn’t really change anything. He’s already been out for a couple of months and is nowhere close to returning. Whenever he’s deemed ready, the Braves will be able to activate him.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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