Braves' Drake Baldwin lands on 10-day IL in significant blow

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Braves star catcher Drake Baldwin lands on 10-day IL in significant blow

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated May 19, 2026 12:39 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves have added another key addition to the 10-day injury list, losing their MVP candidate, catcher Drake Baldwin, to a strained right oblique muscle.

The injury was sustained on Monday against the Miami Marlins in the top of the sixth inning while Baldwin was swinging the bat. He was taken out of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Braves have called up Chadwick Tromp from Triple-A Gwinnett to take his roster spot. He will be sharing catching duties with veteran Sandy Leon.

Unfortunately, when it comes to oblique stains, the recovery period is usually lengthy. Further evaluation is required for Baldwin to determine how severe the injury is and to obtain a more accurate return date.

Atlanta, which has overcome injury after injury in their runaway season, now sustain huge blow with MVP candidate Drake Baldwin going on the IL with a strained right oblique muscle.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 19, 2026

Drake Baldwin injury is a significant blow to the Braves

The Braves already have Sean Murphy (fractured finger) out for weeks, making this injury another significant blow. It places the catcher situation in a precarious, tough position. This will inevitably force the Braves to rely on depth options who will be tested.

Baldwin was off to an incredibly strong start. The 2025 NL Rookie of the Year had been reliable, not missing a game this season.

He was also sporting an exceptional .303 batting average, with 13 home runs and 38 RBI as well as a hard hit rate of 53.1 % (93rd percentile) and a barrel rate of 18.9% (97th percentile). All in all, he has demonstrated high-caliber talent with a .932 OPS.

Baldwin has, without question, stood out as one of the best offensive catchers in the majors. He's helped to solidify the Braves lineup as a middle-of-the-order threat.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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