Braves lose star catcher Drake Baldwin to injury as Acuña Jr. returns
The Atlanta Braves have lost their star catcher Drake Baldwin to injury just as Ronald Acuña Jr. returns to the lineup. Baldwin, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique muscle. The team has called up Chadwick Tromp from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill the gap behind the plate. Baldwin played in Monday’s series opener against the Miami Marlins but left the game after his third plate appearance in the sixth inning. Atlanta went on to lose 12-0. Manager Walt Weiss later explained that Baldwin had felt slight discomfort following his second at-bat, though it wasn’t severe enough at the time to take him out of the game.
The 25-year-old has been a key player this season, leading the team with a .303 batting average and 57 hits in just 48 games. He also shares the team lead with 38 RBIs. Last year, as a rookie, he hit 19 home runs and drove in 80 runs, earning the Rookie of the Year award with 21 of 30 first-place votes. Baldwin will now undergo an MRI and further testing in Atlanta to assess the extent of the injury. In his absence, Tromp and Sandy León will split catching duties. Meanwhile, the Braves welcome back 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., who returns from a left hamstring strain and will bat leadoff as the designated hitter on Tuesday.
The Braves must now adjust without Baldwin, who has been a standout performer both this season and in his award-winning rookie year. Tromp’s promotion provides immediate depth, while Acuña Jr.’s return offers a boost to the lineup. The team will await test results before determining Baldwin’s recovery timeline.
