After losing two out of three to the Yankees over the weekend, any delusions that the Atlanta Braves were going to make a torrid run to start the second half all but evaporated. This is a flawed and very injured Braves team that just has to accept that 2025 is a lost cause. Unfortunately, that has also meant that Marcell Ozuna's time with Atlanta is likely to come to an end soon.
After revealing to the world that Ozuna was dealing with a lingering hip injury, the Braves sort of painted themselves in a corner a bit with Ozuna. Atlanta would certainly like to trade him, but now there is little chance of much of a return for him given his struggles. They also can't really play him much right now since playing both Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin in the same lineup has been so productive.
That latter plan with Murphy and Baldwin seems to be in full effect now. In an announcement on Monday, Atlanta just called up another catcher in Sandy Leon while designating Stuart Fairchild for assignment.
The #Braves today selected C Sandy León to the major league roster, and designated OF Stuart Fairchild for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 21, 2025
Braves recall Sandy Leon, designate Stuart Fairchild for assignment as new lineup takes hold without Marcell Ozuna
For the Braves, the logic is straightforward assuming they are committing to this Ozuna-less lineup. Using both of the catchers they have on the roster carries significant risk if one of them gets hurt, so adding a third catcher in Leon, as ancient as he is, provides some protection against that. As for Fairchield, all he was really good for was running and the Braves have both Luke Williams and Eli White around if/when a pinch runner is needed. No real loss there from the DFA of the Wake Forest product.
However, the Braves don't make this roster move unless they were certain that Ozuna wasn't going to get playing time anytime soon. Snitker did playing Ozuna in one game over the weekend and said he was going to play some if he was around, but that did not go particularly well and the Braves doubling down on the Murphy/Baldwin plan feels like the beginning of the end.
There are still hurdles to overcome with any Ozuna trade. The Braves will likely want the rest of his salary covered and ideally get a prospect of real value in exchange and Ozuna has the right to veto any trade. However, this situation feels like both sides know that a change needs to happen and it could be coming fast.