In just the third game of the 2024 season, Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy went down with an oblique injury. Nearly a month later, he is back on the field on a rehab assignment. Murphy joined the Gwinett Stripers on Tuesday night and immediatley showed he is ready to return.
Sean Murphy makes a splash in his first rehab game
In his very first at-bat in his rehab assignment, Murphy blasted a 450 foot home run to dead center. It is super encouraging to see power displayed with great timing in the batter's box. Murphy finished his night 1-3 at the plate including his homer and a walk. Murphy scored two runs and caught 7 innings which was longer than he was expected to. This is encouraging news to Braves fans.
SEAN MURPHY 450-FOOT BOMB 111.0 MPH OFF THE BAT‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/oG7Babfyb7
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) May 21, 2024
While Murphy has been sidelined with injury, Travis d'Arnuad and Chadwick Tromp have done a fantastic job holding down the fort behind the plate for Atlanta. However, when a team loses an All-Star caliber player, it is tough to adapt.
A season ago, Murphy hit .251 to go along with 21 home runs and 68 runs batted in. This was the most home runs he has hit in a single season through the first five years of his career.
Obviously with the injury happening in the first series of 2024, Sean Murphy has yet to have a chance to get into an offensive rhythm. Hopefully, this rehab stint will be exactly what he needs to gain confidence and contribute at the big league level soon.
It is no secret that the Braves are not putting up the same numbers offensively they did in 2023 so far this season. Adding a player of Sean Murphy's caliber back to the lineup could be a game changer.
Atlanta is hitting way less home runs this year and hitting for a much lower average. With Murphy having the potential to hit 20+ home runs in a season gives the Braves a much needed middle of the order threat. Hitters before Murphy in the lineup could be provided with some protection as pitchers may give them more pitches to hit, trying to avoid Murphy.