When a team holds the best record in Major League Baseball, discussions of roster reconstruction are typically premature. Yet, as May approaches, the Atlanta Braves may find themselves confronting that very consideration.
Fortunately for Atlanta, any impending roster movement will be driven by an influx of returning talent rather than a need to address deficiencies. With key contributors such as Spencer Strider, Ha-Seong Kim, and Sean Murphy nearing their returns in the coming weeks, the Braves are poised to regain significant depth.
As a result, several fringe players on the 26-man roster may be squeezed out. Here are a few candidates who could be affected by the impending roster crunch.
4 current Braves who could lose their roster spot by the end of May
Kyle Farmer
This is perhaps the most straightforward projection, as veteran Kyle Farmer has seen minimal action this season. His six at-bats are the fewest on the roster, and despite offering positional versatility, he has struggled to secure playing time relative to Atlanta’s other bench options.
The good news for Kyle Farmer is that he signed a split contract in March, which should help preserve his standing within the organization. However, with Kim set to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday, his impending return could ultimately signal the end of Farmer’s stint in Atlanta.
Jose Suarez
The emphasis on maintaining long-relief depth has been evident in the early stages of 2026 under Alex Anthopoulos. However, José Suárez has yet to provide consistent effectiveness out of the bullpen for the Braves. Through just over 15 innings of work, he currently carries a 5.87 ERA, production that may put his roster spot in jeopardy as reinforcements return.
The Braves still put a premium on long-relief depth, but Reynaldo López’s recent transition to the bullpen could offer a viable multi-inning alternative as he continues to build back up. That development may provide manager Walt Weiss with the flexibility he needs, potentially rendering Suárez expendable.
Martin Perez
Similar to the case with Suárez, the primary argument against MartÃn Pérez is the immediate upgrade Strider would provide upon his return. While Pérez has been serviceable across his five outings with Atlanta, his limited swing-and-miss profile offers relatively little upside, particularly when compared to other high-impact arms like Didier Fuentes or JR Ritchie.
His 2.70 ERA suggests he's pitched well enough to stick around, but many of the underlying metrics indicate regression is on the way. Pérez was designated for assignment not long ago, and while he remains in Atlanta’s rotation for the time being, his window of opportunity appears to be closing quickly.
Jonah Heim
The final player in limbo is the club’s current backup catcher. Jonah Heim is a Major League-caliber option in a reserve role, but the challenge lies in Atlanta’s depth at the position, as the Braves boast one of the strongest catching tandems in the league.
After opening the season on the injured list, Murphy is nearing a return, with his rehab assignment already well underway. In theory, the Braves could choose to carry three catchers on the roster, but balancing playing time between Drake Baldwin and Murphy will already present a significant challenge. This is why it's hard to picture Heim remaining on the roster once Murphy returns.
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