'Dog mentality': Fresh off first MLB hit, Mederos notches first career save
ATLANTA -- Victor Mederos experienced the thrill of being a mop-up reliever who got a hit against a position player in Friday night’s blowout win over the Rangers. That’s a fun story he’ll tell forever. But the most influential thrill of his young career came Monday night, when he made
Elder takes step forward in search to regain early-season form
ATLANTA -- Bryce Elder was one of MLB’s best pitchers during an 18-start stretch that ended in late May. Two frustration-filled months later, he seems determined to get back to that elite level.
Waldrep exits start for Triple-A Gwinnett, will undergo evaluation
ATLANTA -- The Braves’ rotation concerns grew on Sunday when right arm discomfort forced Hurston Waldrep to exit his start with Triple-A Gwinnett. Braves manager Walt Weiss said before Monday's game vs. the Padres that Waldrep will be further evaluated this week. The 24-year-old hurler underwent arthroscopic surgery in February
Braves' last 2 Draft classes have produced big hits. Could this year be next?
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Acuña plays field for first time in rehab stint; return not yet imminent
ATLANTA -- Ronald Acuña Jr. will be used primarily as a right fielder when he returns to the Braves’ lineup. But there’s no guarantee that he will be activated from the injured list before Atlanta concludes its current homestand Thursday afternoon. “He’s still got some days ahead of him,” Braves
Baldwin (5-for-5, 2 HRs), Riley (2 HRs) keep Braves' offense rolling since break
ATLANTA -- Drake Baldwin is hitting like the MVP candidate he was before he was injured and Austin Riley is showing the power that earned him MVP consideration just a few years ago. And, oh by the way, Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected to return to Atlanta’s lineup this week.
Acuña nearing return for Braves; Smith-Shawver likely needs another rehab start
ATLANTA -- Ronald Acuña Jr. took another step toward rejoining the Braves’ lineup. He also had a chance to see why AJ Smith-Shawver could soon join Atlanta’s rotation. Acuña went 1-for-3 with a walk and Smith-Shawver tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings in Triple-A Gwinnett’s 5-1 win over Toledo in Game
Murphy's rocky start continues to highlight Braves' need for starting pitching
ATLANTA -- Like JR Ritchie, Owen Murphy should be excited about what the future holds. But neither of these promising prospects has appeared to be ready to help the Braves fix their rotation woes. Murphy lasted just 2 2/3 innings while making his first MLB start in a 7-6 loss
A 2-run single for a pitcher -- against a catcher!
ATLANTA -- Braves manager Walt Weiss’ decision to get his All-Star position players off their feet gave Victor Mederos a chance to become the first MLB pitcher (excluding Shohei Ohtani and position players batting after pitching) to get a hit as a pitcher since the universal designated hitter rule was
Sale drops ERA to 2.06, mirrors The Big Unit en route reaching 2,700 career K's
ATLANTA -- What does Chris Sale remember about his childhood idol Randy Johnson’s 2001 season? “Acting like him while pitching to my dad in the backyard,” Sale said. “I think that might have been the year [our team] went to Cooperstown, too. It’s funny you say that, because the coach
Acuña nearing possible return on this homestand; Schwellenbach, Strider still TBD
ATLANTA -- Braves manager Walt Weiss thinks there’s at least a chance Ronald Acuña Jr. could return before this current homestand ends on Thursday. But his responses to questions about Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider weren’t nearly as optimistic.
Jones' 1996 rookie season set the table for his storied Hall of Fame career
ATLANTA -- To fully appreciate Andruw Jones' journey to baseball immortality, it’s good to revisit his magical 1996 season. That year will always be remembered as the one when he was a baby-faced 19-year-old who homered in his first two World Series at-bats. What might not be known is how
Braves sign 11 of first 12 Draft picks by using slot money wisely
ATLANTA -- AJ Gracia was the Braves’ top overall selection in this year’s MLB Draft. But now that signing bonuses have been revealed, it’s obvious that third-round selection Jensen Hirschkorn was Atlanta’s top target. Gracia’s willingness to accept a signing bonus that was well under the assigned slot value for
As the second half begins, how aggressive will the Braves be at the Deadline?
ATLANTA -- The Braves need at least one starting pitcher and -- like every other playoff contender -- they will at least peruse the list of available relievers. But even with Ronald Acuña Jr. nearing activation from the injured list, there may be a need to add a bat before
Acuña (hamstring), Kim (finger) begin Minor League rehab assignments
ATLANTA -- Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim began their respective Minor League rehab assignments with the FCL Braves in North Port, Fla., on Monday. Kim homered in his first plate appearance and added a single in a 4-2 win over the FCL Twins. Acuña struck out, flied out to
'Coolest part' of Baldwin's 1st ASG experience? Sharing it with his mom
ATLANTA -- Drake Baldwin's mother, Bridgette Baldwin, will be in Philadelphia to share his first All-Star Game experience with him. The honor comes about 22 years after she signed up her high-energy 3-year-old son to play T-ball in Madison, Wis. “She was with me in January for the Rookie of
Here are the Braves' 2026 Draft picks
ATLANTA -- The Braves took two collegiate outfielders in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft. That’s one more than they had taken with all of their first-round picks combined over the previous 61 years since this selection process had been staged. “[College outfielders] wasn’t an area we were
Virginia OF Gracia selected by Braves at No. 9 overall
ATLANTA -- 1991 will always be a special year for Braves fans. So, there may be reason to be excited about the fact that Atlanta drafted a collegiate outfielder in the first round for the first time in 35 years. The Braves took AJ Gracia with the first of their
The best baseball players born on July 11
Who are the best players born on each day of the year? We have a list for every day on the calendar. Here’s a subjective ranking of the top five for July 11. 1) Bob Allison (1934) Allison earned the first of three career All-Star selections and was named American
Braves tee off vs. Bucs as Olson socks 25th HR before Jarvis, Yaz go yard
PITTSBURGH -- Matt Olson homered for the fifth time in his past seven games and Jim Jarvis homered for the first time in his career. These long balls, combined with Mike Yastrzemski's ninth-inning grand slam, overcame the three homers Bryce Elder surrendered in the Braves’ 10-5 win over the Pirates
Bart stings former club with decisive HR after Braves break up perfecto in 7th
PITTSBURGH -- Joey Bart came up just short in his attempt to halt Jared Jones’ perfection. But the Braves catcher didn’t miss when given another chance to damage his former team.
Acuña likely to begin rehab assignment during break; Suarez not cleared to throw
PITTSBURGH -- Braves manager Walt Weiss said Ronald Acuña Jr. will likely begin a Minor League rehab assignment during the All-Star break, but the Braves will be without top setup man Robert Suarez for at least a couple more weeks.
Is Waldrep's job safe? Banged-up Braves have few other options
PITTSBURGH -- Braves manager Walt Weiss was asked if Hurston Waldrep will remain in the rotation after the young hurler surrendered two of Ryan O’Hearn’s three home runs and lasted just 3 1/3 innings in a 12-4 loss to the Pirates on Tuesday night at PNC Park. “Those are conversations
Braves look to continue recent MLB Draft prowess with five Day 1 picks
ATLANTA -- You can never have enough arms. But thanks to last year’s selections, the Braves will enter this year’s MLB Draft with their farm system more balanced and as strong as it’s been in a decade. The Braves gained great value when they took a position player with five
Braves drink in splendor of All-Star selections
This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman’s Braves Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
