One of the few problems facing the Atlanta Braves as the 2026 season continues to get underway is a surprising amount of overachieving pieces. It is a great problem to have as the franchise begins to consider who could face demotion as we go deeper into the season and injured players begin to return. Sean Murphy is one of these pieces and is ready to begin a rehab assignment when able to return, as the catcher is currently away from the team due to a personal matter.
Looking at Atlanta's current roster, Murphy's return is one of the few that does have an extremely clear path forward. The Braves have consistently kept Drake Baldwin in the lineup by utilizing Jonah Heim as a starting backstop and putting Baldwin at the DH slot. This is a trend that will continue when Murphy returns, with Heim being one of the few Atlanta pieces who has clearly set himself up for a demotion.
Heim has looked lost at the plate, offering only a pair of hits in 15 at-bats so far in the season. The catcher often looks overmatched with a slow reaction time, making it clear that there simply isn't any argument to keep him on the active roster once Murphy can return. While Murphy has had recent offensive struggles of his own, the veteran is an elite defender and gives Atlanta's starters the needed consistency behind the plate.
Braves Catcher Jonah Heim Deserves to be Demoted When Sean Murphy Returns
Adding to the case for the Braves to move on from Heim is the veteran's response to a recent brawl that erupted between the Los Angeles Angels and Braves. Reynaldo Lopez and Jorge Soler squared up, and after a weak attempt to intervene, the catcher couldn't have appeared less interested in breaking up the fight. It took a tackle from manager Walt Weiss to end things, a role that you want to see your catcher take on as the closest on the field.
The poor reaction to the situation, along with the lack of offensive production, is all the motivation that the Braves should need to turn the page. Murphy should perfectly step into Heim's role, being a better defender and offering more offensive upside with Atlanta, hoping that time to get healthy will spark a return to form.
Regardless of the answer, Heim's time with the Braves is quickly coming to an end, and that should be one of the few easy remaining decisions facing Atlanta. Hurtson Waldrep, Spencer Strider, Ha-Seong Kim, and Spencer Schwellenbach are still all expected to return at some point in the 2026 season, handing the Braves far more difficult decisions when it comes to how to create the needed roster space. A great problem for Atlanta to have, and one that will become a bit clearer with Heim's exit.