Scouting Report: Dru Baker

Summary

Drake Baldwin, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year for the Atlanta Braves, was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday due to a strained right oblique muscle. Baldwin was having an MVP-caliber season through 48 games, posting a .303/.389/.543 slash line with 13 home runs and a 160 wRC+ (8th among all qualified hitters). He had appeared in every game for the Braves this season, serving as both catcher and designated hitter. The injury occurred during Monday's game against Miami when he was replaced after his third plate appearance in the sixth inning. The timing is particularly damaging as the Braves are already without veteran catcher Sean Murphy (fractured finger), forcing the team to rely on backup catchers Sandy León and Chadwick Tromp. Oblique injuries can be multi-week injuries, with comparable cases like Mookie Betts missing five weeks in 2026.