With 12 games remaining in the regular season and the NL East crown within reach, the Atlanta Braves remain laser-focused. Atlanta enjoyed a successful series against Philadelphia over the weekend and now turn their attention to lining up their roster in an ideal manner for postseason play.
At the end of August, we made a way-too-early projection for Atlanta's postseason roster, and since then a couple of key members have succumbed to injury. The postseason roster is constructed and managed differently than the regular season, so projecting with a couple of weeks left in the regular season is still a tall task. Bryce Elder's knee surgery and Lane Thomas' intercostal injury remove two of our former playoff roster members from the equation. So, the question is: who replaces them?
Updated Braves postseason roster projection for 2026
Catchers (2): Drake Baldwin, Sean Murphy
Not much has changed here; Baldwin figures to DH frequently in October while Murphy does his usual good work behind the plate. Murphy is also notably better at throwing out potential basestealers, something that could prove substantial in the postseason.
Infielders (6): Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Ha-Seong Kim, Mauricio Dubón, Dominic Smith
However, we do forecast infield changes, as Ha-Seong Kim has proven to be a valuable piece in September. Walt Weiss recently confirmed that Kim will play shortstop against left-handed pitchers, while Mauricio Dubón plays left field. Expect the usual configuration around the dirt against right-handed pitchers.
Outfielders (5): Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuńa Jr., Mike Yastrzemski, DaShawn Keirsey Jr., Brewer Hicklen
The position player debate isn't an inspiring one for the final few roster spots, but injuries to your depth will do that. Brewer Hicklen and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. are both end of the roster additions who can pinch-run when the situation calls for it. The only other considerable players would be Kyle Farmer or perhaps Rowdy Tellez if a pinch-hitting bat is the preference.
Pitchers (13): Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes, Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee, Dylan Dodd, Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, AJ Smith-Shawver, Martin Perez, Victor Mederos, JR Ritchie, Ray Kerr
The only change here surrounds the previously mentioned Bryce Elder. Taking his projected spot is long-relief option Ray Kerr, who has a very solid 1.59 ERA since returning to Atlanta earlier this month. The Robert Suarez projection is still an optimistic one, but hopefully his progression will be enough to lean on him during key October innings.
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