It is mid-January, and if you're looking for the Atlanta Braves lineup tonight, you’ve probably realized something pretty quickly: the boys aren't at Truist Park just yet. We are in that weird, quiet pocket of the MLB offseason where the hot stove is still flickering, but the actual games are months away.
Honestly, the "tonight" part is a bit of a trick question. As of January 18, 2026, the Braves don't have a game scheduled until Spring Training kicks off in late February. But that doesn't mean Alex Anthopoulos hasn't been busy. Far from it.
If the season started tomorrow, this lineup would look radically different than the one that limped across the finish line last year. We've seen massive trades, huge free-agent splashes like Ha-Seong Kim, and the return of some very familiar faces from the injured list.
The Projected Atlanta Braves Lineup Tonight (If They Played Right Now)
Since there's no official scorecard to hand to an umpire this evening, we have to look at the depth chart. The front office has spent the last two months retooling a roster that struggled with depth and health.
Here is how the batting order is shaking out based on the current 40-man roster and recent signings:
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- Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF): He’s the engine. Always has been. After a 2025 that saw him find his rhythm again post-injury, he’s slated to lead off.
- Matt Olson (1B): There was some talk about moving him down, but keeping Olson in the two-spot offers that lethal lefty-righty combo with Acuña.
- Austin Riley (3B): Riley is coming back from that abdominal strain that ended his previous season early. He looks healthy.
- Drake Baldwin (C/DH): This is the name everyone is talking about. Baldwin’s emergence has pushed Sean Murphy into a rotational role.
- Jurickson Profar (LF): A big offseason addition. Profar brings that veteran "vibes" guy energy that the clubhouse has lacked since Joc Pederson left years ago.
- Ozzie Albies (2B): He’s the heart of this team. Reports say his hand is 100% and he'll be a full participant in Spring Training.
- Ha-Seong Kim (SS): The $20 million man. Signing Kim was a statement. He solves the shortstop defensive woes and adds a high-contact bat to the bottom of the order.
- Michael Harris II (CF): Money Mike usually hangs out in the nine-hole, but his speed and defensive range are elite regardless of where he hits.
- Mike Yastrzemski (DH/LF): Another new face. Yaz provides a professional at-bat and can cover for Profar or Acuña when they need a day off their feet.
Why the Shortstop Position Changed Everything
For a while, it felt like the Braves were content to patch the shortstop hole with internal options or utility guys like Mauricio Dubón. Then they went and grabbed Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year deal.
It was a smart move.
Basically, the Braves realize their window is wide open right now. They didn't want to rely on prospects or "maybe" players. Kim brings a Gold Glove-caliber glove to the most important position on the infield. If you've watched him with the Padres, you know he’s a pest on the basepaths, too.
The Rotation: Who is Pitching?
If we were talking about the pitching staff for the Atlanta Braves lineup tonight, the headline would be health. The 2025 season was basically a hospital ward for Braves pitchers.
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- Chris Sale: The reigning veteran anchor. He’s the ace until someone knocks him off that mountain.
- Spencer Strider: He’s back. After the surgery and the long road of rehab, Strider is expected to be the No. 2 guy, though his velocity will be the most watched stat in North Georgia this spring.
- Spencer Schwellenbach: "Schwelly" was a revelation last year before the elbow fracture. He’s reportedly cleared to go for the start of the season.
- Reynaldo López: He’s being stretched back out as a starter after proving he can handle the workload.
- Hurston Waldrep: The kid with the nasty splitter. He’ll likely battle it out for that fifth spot with guys like Bryce Elder or the newly acquired Jose Suarez.
Real Talk: The Bullpen Shuffle
Alex Anthopoulos loves a good waiver claim. Just this month, we've seen a flurry of moves. The Braves claimed George Soriano from the Orioles and brought back Tyler Kinley on a one-year deal.
The big news? Robert Suarez is now the primary setup man or co-closer with Raisel Iglesias. Giving Suarez $45 million over three years was a massive commitment for a reliever, but it gives the Braves one of the most terrifying 8th-and-9th-inning combos in the National League.
What Most Fans Are Missing
A lot of people are worried about Sean Murphy. With Drake Baldwin essentially forcing his way into the lineup, Murphy has become a bit of a man without a fixed country.
The Braves have tried to trade him—that's not a secret anymore. But as of January 18, he’s still on the roster. Expect a heavy rotation. Baldwin might catch the younger pitchers while Murphy handles the veterans like Sale. Or we see one of them at DH every single night.
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It's a "headache," but it's the kind of headache most managers would kill for.
Actionable Insights for Braves Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve before Spring Training starts on February 21, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Check the Non-Roster Invitees (NRIs): The Braves just signed a bunch of guys like Carlos Carrasco to minor league deals. One of these veterans always makes the opening day roster.
- Watch the 40-man Roster Spots: They just designated Brett Wisely and Vidal Bruján for assignment. This usually means another move is coming. Anthopoulos is likely hunting for one more bench bat.
- Don't Buy Tickets for "Tonight": Seriously. The first home game at Truist Park isn't until March 27 against the Kansas City Royals. Save your money for the home opener.
- Follow the Rehab Reports: Austin Riley and Spencer Strider are the keys to 2026. If either has a setback in January, the whole "projected lineup" gets shuffled.
The Braves are currently sitting with a roster that won 76 games last year—a massive disappointment by their standards. But with Acuña healthy and the addition of Ha-Seong Kim, the projection models already have them back in the 90-win range.
The Atlanta Braves lineup tonight might just be a list on a piece of paper in Brian Snitker’s office, but by April, it’s going to be a problem for the rest of the NL East.
Stay tuned to the transaction wire. The offseason isn't over, and if history tells us anything, the Braves aren't done making moves.