It is early January 2026, and if you're a Braves fan, you’ve probably spent the last week refreshing your feed every ten minutes. The hot stove is usually about who is coming in, but in Atlanta, the conversation is currently dominated by who is coming back—and when.
The Braves IL moves Acuña Alvarez Murphy have become a sort of shorthand for the team's entire strategy. It’s a puzzle. Alex Anthopoulos is basically playing 4D chess with a roster that has more "questionable" tags than a clearance rack.
Honestly, the mood is a mix of high-octane optimism and that nagging "here we go again" feeling. You’ve got Ronald Acuña Jr. looking like his old self, a catching situation that feels like a soap opera, and Nacho Alvarez Jr. trying to prove his wrist isn't a long-term problem.
Ronald Acuña Jr. and the "Wait and See" Game
Let’s talk about the king. Ronald Acuña Jr. is coming off a 2025 season where he basically defied medical science. After that second ACL tear in 2024, most people thought he’d be a shell of himself. Instead, he won NL Comeback Player of the Year. He hit .290 with a .935 OPS.
He was electric.
But here’s the thing about the Braves IL moves Acuña Alvarez Murphy: the team is still being incredibly protective. Even though he played 95 games last year, the training staff is treating him like fine china this January. There’s no talk of him starting 2026 on the IL, but the "load management" whispers are already starting. They want him for October, not just Opening Day.
The Sean Murphy Dilemma: Hip Surgery and Trade Rumors
Sean Murphy is the name keeping fans up at night. Last season was a nightmare for him. First it was the oblique, then the ribs, and finally a right hip labral tear that ended his year.
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The latest update? It’s not great.
Mark Bowman recently reported that Murphy is likely to miss the start of the 2026 season. He had surgery in late 2025, and as of mid-January, he’s still in the thick of rehab. This has triggered a wave of "trade him" talk. People see Drake Baldwin—who was basically a godsend as a rookie last year—and they think Murphy is expendable.
But who is trading for a catcher with a $15 million salary coming off major hip surgery?
Basically, nobody.
The Braves are stuck, but it’s a "good" kind of stuck. They have an elite defensive catcher in Murphy who just needs to get healthy, and they have Baldwin, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. The plan right now is a Baldwin/Murphy platoon. That’s a luxury most teams would kill for.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. and the Infield Logjam
Then there’s Nacho Alvarez Jr. He’s the wildcard in the Braves IL moves Acuña Alvarez Murphy saga. Nacho dealt with left wrist inflammation that basically derailed his momentum last year.
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He’s healthy now. Mostly.
The problem isn't his wrist anymore; it's the depth chart. With Ozzie Albies healthy and Austin Riley back from his abdominal strain, where does Nacho go? He’s blocked. There’s talk of him moving to second base if Albies gets moved, or perhaps acting as a super-sub.
It’s a weird spot to be in. You have a kid with a high ceiling who needs everyday reps, but there’s no room at the inn.
Breaking Down the Recent Roster Shuffle
The last few days have been busy. The Braves just flipped Ken Waldichuk and Brett Wisely to the Rays for cash/PTBNL. It’s a minor move, sure, but it clears the 40-man deck.
- Joe Jiménez: Still out. That left knee surgery was more complicated than they hoped. Don't expect him anytime soon.
- Spencer Schwellenbach: The elbow fracture is healed. He should be a full go for Spring Training.
- Raynaldo López: His shoulder is fine. He’s throwing live BP.
The Braves IL moves Acuña Alvarez Murphy aren't just about injuries. They are about financial flexibility. Murphy is owed $15 million this year. Acuña is in the final guaranteed year of his contract before the club options kick in.
Why January 2026 Feels Different
In years past, the Braves would just plug a hole with a veteran on a one-year deal. This year, they are leaning into the youth. Drake Baldwin changed everything. If Baldwin doesn't hit .274 with 19 homers as a rookie, the Braves are probably panicking about Murphy’s hip.
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Instead, they are calm.
They can afford to let Murphy take his time. They can afford to let Acuña skip the heavy lifting in February.
Actionable Steps for Following the Roster
If you're trying to track how these moves impact the 2026 season, keep an eye on these specific triggers over the next three weeks:
- The Murphy "Four-Month" Mark: The Braves said they’d have a better idea of Murphy's status in January. If we don't hear a "cleared for baseball activities" update by February 1st, assume he starts the year on the 10-day IL.
- The DH Rotation: If Murphy is slow to return, look for the Braves to use the DH spot to keep Baldwin's bat in the lineup while a veteran backup like Chadwick Tromp handles the occasional catching duties.
- Acuña’s Spring Usage: Watch the "back-field" reports. If Ronald is playing in Grapefruit League games by late February, the "load management" concerns are likely overblown.
- The Trade Market: If the Braves move a starter for a pitcher, it likely won't be Murphy yet. Look for names like Ozzie Albies or even Nacho Alvarez to be the bait if AA decides to go big for a frontline starter.
The reality is that the Braves are deeper than they've been in years, even with the injury baggage. The Braves IL moves Acuña Alvarez Murphy might look messy on paper, but it's actually just a team with too much talent trying to figure out how to fit everyone into the dugout.
Stay tuned. Spring Training is only a few weeks away, and that's when the "expected return" dates finally turn into reality.