The Atlanta Braves are getting closer to having their red-hot catcher back in the lineup. Drake Baldwin will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, putting him on track for a potential return to the majors as soon as Tuesday.
According to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game, Baldwin could be activated from the 10-day IL by Tuesday if everything goes smoothly during his rehab stint.
It’s been a rough stretch for Atlanta behind the plate. Both Baldwin and Sean Murphy are currently on the injured list, leaving the Braves thin at catcher during what’s been a crucial part of the season.
“Braves C Drake Baldwin will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. If all goes well, he could be activated from the 10-day IL as soon as Tuesday.”
Baldwin’s been sidelined since May 18 with an oblique injury – nearly a month away from the team. That’s a significant loss considering what he was doing at the plate before getting hurt.
The numbers tell the story. Baldwin was slashing .303/.932 OPS with 13 homers and 38 RBIs in just 188 at-bats. That .932 OPS leads the entire Braves roster, with Matt Olson’s .902 mark being the closest thing to it.
For a 25-year-old catcher having this kind of breakout campaign, losing a month is tough. But the way Baldwin was performing before the injury – 57 hits, six doubles, and that team-leading OPS – shows exactly why Atlanta’s been missing him so much.
The timing could work out well for the Braves. They’ve been managing without their top offensive catcher, but getting Baldwin back healthy could provide exactly the spark they need as they push through the summer months.
All eyes will be on how Baldwin handles the Triple-A assignment. If he looks comfortable and pain-free, expect him back in an Atlanta uniform pretty quickly.
