Murphy will undergo season-ending surgery on a right-hip labral tear, with an estimated four-month recovery and a return targeted for spring training. He posted a .199/.709 OPS line with 16 homers across 94 games in 2025 and has three years and $45 million left on a deal with a 2029 option. The Braves will lean on Sandy León for the rest of the season, while Drake Baldwin had emerged as the club’s top catching option earlier this year, leaving questions about Murphy’s long-term health and role in 2026.

For fantasy managers, Murphy’s absence trims Braves catcher assets for the short term and elevates León’s value as a streamer behind the plate. Baldwin’s midseason breakout adds a layer of upside if Murphy’s health allows a post-recovery return, but León’s assignment signals the club’s immediate priority on solid defense and steady catching until Murphy reclaims his role. The injury reshapes the Braves’ catcher landscape as they push toward spring training.