What Happened to Atlanta Braves?

The Atlanta Braves entered the 2024 season with high expectations following a dominant 2023 campaign where they won 104 games and the NL East title, showcasing a historically productive offense that tied the MLB record for home runs in a season (307) and set the record for slugging percentage (.501). However, the 2024 season was largely defined by a relentless wave of injuries to key players, including Ronald Acuña Jr. (torn ACL), Sean Murphy (oblique), Ozzie Albies (fractured wrist), and various pitchers. Despite these setbacks, the Braves managed to clinch a Wild Card spot with an 89-73 record but were swept by the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series.

The challenges intensified in 2025, which proved to be a significantly disappointing year for the franchise. The Braves started the season with an 0-7 record, their worst since 2016, and struggled to maintain consistency. The team was plagued by an unprecedented number of injuries, using 71 different players throughout the season, setting a new Major League Baseball record. This led to a 76-86 losing record, marking their first losing season and first time missing the playoffs since 2017. The offensive production also regressed, with the team's home run and slugging percentages falling significantly compared to 2023. In the aftermath of the 2025 season, longtime and World Series-winning manager Brian Snitker announced his resignation in October 2025, moving into an advisory role with the team.

In November 2025, the Braves appointed Walt Weiss, who had previously served as the team's bench coach, as their new manager. The offseason saw some roster adjustments, including the signing of Ha-Seong Kim for shortstop depth, though he later underwent finger surgery, and the re-signing of key bullpen pieces. A significant development for the organization's structure occurred on July 13, 2023, when Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc., the entity owning the Braves and the associated mixed-use development The Battery Atlanta, completed its spin-off from Liberty Media, becoming an independent, publicly traded company.

As of the start of the 2026 season, the Braves continued to face injury concerns, particularly within their pitching staff, with Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep among those sidelined. Additionally, Jurickson Profar received a 162-game suspension in March 2026 for his second violation of MLB's performance-enhancing drug policy. Despite these hurdles, the Braves began the 2026 season with a strong 5-2 record under Walt Weiss, who made a successful managerial debut on March 27, 2026, with a 6-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. Truist Park, the team's home, also saw further upgrades for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, enhancing fan experiences and amenities. The organization also launched its exclusive 'BravesVision' television network in February 2026. The team is currently embarking on a challenging West Coast road trip, aiming to build on their early success and overcome their injury woes.