Drake Baldwin, one of the top catchers in MLB, is nearing a return. Baldwin has been out with a right oblique strain since May 18. Below, we will take a glance at exactly when Baldwin is expected to return to the Atlanta Braves’ lineup. We will also look at the Braves’ World Series odds.
Drake Baldwin injury update: When will star catcher return?
Braves manager Walt Weiss removed Baldwin from a game against the Miami Marlins on May 18 as the catcher was experiencing discomfort in his right oblique area. An MRI revealed that Baldwin had a Grade 1 right oblique strain.
It typically takes players 2-3 weeks to recover from Grade 1 oblique strains, but the Braves are showing extra caution with a player that is on track to be a perennial All-Star. Baldwin has been out exactly 21 days (3 weeks) so far.
Braves manager Walt Weiss told Mark Bowman of MLB.com that Baldwin should be set to return during Atlanta’s next homestand, which runs from June 16 through June 21.
“[Baldwin] is coming along,” Weiss told Bowman. “We’re getting to the point where you start to look down the road a little bit and start to wonder when it might happen. So I think realistically the next time we’re at home.”
Here is a look at the Braves’ schedule around the time that Baldwin is expected to return.
- Tuesday, June 16: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves
- Wednesday, June 17: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves
- Thursday, June 18: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves
- Friday, June 19: Milwaukee Brewers at Atlanta Braves
- Saturday, June 20: Milwaukee Brewers at Atlanta Braves
- Sunday, June 21: Milwaukee Brewers at Atlanta Braves
If Baldwin returns on the first day of the homestand, it will have been four weeks and one day since the injury occurred.
Drake Baldwin odds
Baldwin won National League Rookie of the Year in 2025 and was trending toward legit MVP candidacy this year prior to the injury. The 25-year-old is batting .303 with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in 48 games played thus far.
He began the season with +8000 National League MVP odds and is now +10000 to win the award at Fanatics Sportsbook.
Baldwin is owned in 97 percent of Yahoo fantasy baseball leagues.
The Braves will be ecstatic to have Baldwin back in the fold as his replacements at catcher haven’t exactly lit the world on fire offensively. Sandy Leon has been the primary replacement behind the plate and he is hitting .083 on the season.
Braves odds
The Braves began the season with +1800 World Series odds. Seven teams appeared ahead of them on the odds board.
Weiss’ club now sits third on the Fanatics Sportsbook World Series odds board with a +630 price. Only the Dodgers (+210) and Yankees (+470) sit higher on the board.
The Braves are a heavy -1200 favorite to win the NL East.
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