The catcher will be in the line-up at Triple-A on Tuesday.
The Atlanta Braves got a little bit of good news Monday afternoon, after the official announcement that outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended 80 games for testing positive for a banned substance, with catcher Sean Murphy beginning his injury rehabilitation at Triple-A Gwinnett starting on Tuesday, April 1.
Murphy, who fractured a rib after being hit by a pitch in Spring Training, was expected to miss up to six weeks. His stint with the Stripers could make him available by the end of the up-coming Braves home-stand against the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies.
Murphy, who was expected to start the majority of games behind the dish this season after the departure of Travis d’Arnaud, is coming off of a down year after sustaining an injured oblique on Opening Day 2024. This spring’s injury to Murphy pushed catcher Drake Baldwin, the organization’s top prospect, into the lineup where he has looked solid in three starts.
Murphy’s return would raise questions about how the team would split time between Murphy, Baldwin and back-up catcher Chadwick Tromp, who is out of options.
Assuming no set-backs, Murphy could catch pitcher Spencer Strider who is slated to start for Gwinnett on Friday as Strider also nears his big league return.