Murphy will undergo season-ending surgery on his right hip for a labral tear, with recovery estimated at four months and a spring-training return as the goal. He has three years and $45 million left on his contract, plus a 2029 club option. This season he slashed .199 with 16 homers and 45 RBIs in 94 games, after a .193 mark in 2024 and career highs of 21 HR and 68 RBI in 2023. Drake Baldwin emerged as Atlanta’s top catching option midseason, while Sandy León will back up the position for the rest of the year.

The Braves now lean on Baldwin and León to handle the catching duties while Murphy recovers, which could shift workload and fantasy value at the backstop spot. Murphy’s absence creates a clearer path for Baldwin to showcase his bat and defense, while León provides veteran depth to steady the ship behind the plate. The injury ripple affects lineup construction and daily fantasy projections for Atlanta’s hitters and pitchers in the short term.

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.

The Braves roll out a fresh lineup, with Albies batting cleanup and Ozuna in a near daily role while Murphy and Allen reclaim catching duties, shaping a tighter two-catcher dynamic against Ranger Suarez. Suarez has held most Braves hitters to meh results, making Albies, Murphy, and Ozuna the core fantasy bets in this matchup. Elder draws a tough spot for Atlanta, potentially limiting Braves upside in DFS.

Murphy and Allen back in action shore up catcher depth, but the platoon vibes persist behind the plate. Against Suarez, Braves 180-PA sample shows a .299 wOBA and .306 xwOBA, suggesting upside is concentrated in a small group. For fantasy rosters, lean on Albies and Murphy; Ozuna could help if he sticks in the lineup; Elder’s spot on the mound is a fade in DFS stacks.