We now have a relatively healthy sample size of spring training games, and the Atlanta Braves have looked pretty good so far. While there have been a few games where the Braves were mostly fielding what can generously be described as the C-squad, Atlanta is currently 8-2 in Grapefruit League play and have seen standout performances from a number of important players already.
Now that the introductory parts of camp are over with and we actually have real baseball to talk about again, that means we will finally be getting news about the team that doesn't have anything to do with free agency and/or trade rumors. What a time to be alive. Here are some of the goings on
Braves News: Atlanta loses multiple players to the World Baseball Classic, which starts this week
There are a bunch of Braves players and coaches involved in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Reasonable people can disagree as to whether or not playing in games that count before the start of the regular season and risking injury is a good idea, but there is no shortage of Atlanta players who are extremely eager to play for their country, and the Braves clearly aren't going to do too much to try and stop them.
Thankfully, the WBC schedule is out, and we know that, at the latest, the Braves will be without their guys no later than March 17th. One certainly hopes that everyone enjoys themselves and, more importantly, no one gets hurt.
Braves News: Braves coach Tony Mansolino is trying to walk back comments after causing a firestorm with Orioles fans
The one thing that you almost never want to do in comments to the media is tell the complete truth about your feelings about a former employer after a messy exit. Even if you are 100% correct, it comes across as little more than sour grapes to fans and causes more trouble than clarity. Unfortunately, new Braves bench coach Tony Mansolino is finding that out the hard way right now.
After comments to the media where Mansolino said that the Braves "rescued" him, Orioles fans took notice and weren't particularly pleased with the insinuation that working in Baltimore was a situation that required rescue. However, Mansolino recently went on the record to clarify that he was only referencing the uncertainty around his future after getting passed over for the Orioles manager job and nothing else. Sure Tony, we believe you *wink*.
Braves News: Austin Riley looks like a man on a mission early in camp
Few Braves players need a bounce-back season more than Austin Riley in 2026. After two straight seasons where significant injuries limited him, Riley has a lot of work to do to justify the rather pricey extension the Braves handed the third baseman and to get back to his former star level.
This was Riley's second homer of the spring. Four of the six recorded balls he's put in play this spring have had an exit velo of at least 102.2 mph. He had a 106.3 mph HR and a 106.7 mph lineout today pic.twitter.com/FMJEJq3AYi
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 1, 2026
So far, so good towards accomplishing that this spring. While his surface-level numbers don't jump off the page, Riley is constantly hitting the snot out of the ball right now, and he already has hit a pair of tape measure homers thus far. Ramping up for the regular season is a slow process for many players, but it looks like Riley is hitting the ground running (and with a full head of hair as well).