The Atlanta Braves sit atop the National League East after getting off to a hot start despite a handful of key pieces missing from the lineup due to injury. It is a welcome change, a year after the franchise started the year off by losing seven straight. This appears to be a completely different team, bringing back memories of Atlanta's 2023 offensive magic.
Still, there is always room to improve, and the Braves have no shortage of impact players inching closer to making their returns. That list starts with a slugger who will be a welcome addition and allow the team to move on from an underwhelming veteran.
1. Sean Murphy
The veteran catcher has already begun a rehab assignment and is expected to take Jonah Heim's roster spot once healthy. Having Murphy back in the lineup is a clear help as it allows Drake Baldwin to move to DH and gives Atlanta hope of finding the 2023 version of the veteran backstop. While Murphy has hovered around the Mendoza line the last two seasons, the catcher is incredibly impactful defensively and has the resume to provide hope that the offense will return.
What makes Walt Weiss's managerial style so exciting is that Murphy's return only offers upside. If the catcher continues to struggle offensively, Atlanta will utilize the backstop exactly as Heim has been used, keeping the productive bats in the lineup. There is nothing but upside to Murphy's upcoming return.
2. Spencer Strider
The next Brave already on the path to return is right-hander Spencer Strider, who has also started a rehab assignment. Strider is by far the most interesting question mark surrounding Atlanta's rotation and its possible upside. The starter previously appeared to be a clear top-of-the-rotation arm before a 2024 injury reduced his velocity and led to clear struggles in 2025.
What version of Strider returns remains a debate and should have fans locked into the starter's return. The pitcher is expected to take the final spot in the Braves' rotation, a place where Martin Perez has resided.
3. Ha-Seong Kim
It's safe to assume Atlanta fans haven't missed the starting shortstop nearly as much as expected. Both Jorge Mateo and Mauricio Dubon have defied expectations, offering far more production than expected. With this in mind, the Braves are likely going to be extremely cautious and allow the infielder plenty of time to get back up to speed.
When Kim is ready to return, it will likely be Kyle Farmer facing demotion with Dubon moving to left field and Mateo taking on a reserve role. Kim makes this team far deeper, and gives Weiss even more options to get his players days off.
4. Hurston Waldrep
It's incredible to consider the hot start the Braves are off to while literally missing a third of their starting rotation. Waldrep burst onto the scene last season, going 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA and giving Atlanta some much-needed stability at the top of the rotation. While a clear timeline hasn't been announced, the expectation is still that Waldrep will return in the first two months of the season.
This is where things grow very interesting, with each of the team's current top four options offering reliable production. How the Braves navigate the return of Waldrep and who faces demotion is one of the most entertaining roster decisions ahead.
5. Spencer Schwellenbach
Much of what was said about Waldrep applies to Schwellenbach as well, with the right-hander expected back within the first two months of the regular season. The starter has been incredibly reliable when healthy and is yet again going to push the Braves into making a very difficult decision.
With that said, it is a welcome problem to have a season after the franchise was scrambling for viable starting options. Once Waldrep, Strider, and Schwellenbach all return, it is incredibly difficult to argue that any team in the league is deeper at the position.
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