After defeating the White Sox on Monday afternoon, the Braves have started the season 3-1 without missing a beat, but it hasn’t been without a price. Sean Murphy left last Friday’s season opener and was later placed on the injured list due to an oblique injury. According to Brian Snitker on Saturday, the All-Star catcher will be out for a significant amount of time.
In his place, Travis d’Arnaud will be covered by Chadwick Tromp in Atlanta. The Braves have also added Sandy Leon as a third catcher. Notable also is Jackson Stephens’ decision to re-sign with the Braves after being sent to Gwinnett was made. Previously, Stephens had chosen to be released.

 

With a career OPS of.586 and pretty pitiful offensive figures, Leon is a 12-year veteran. But it’s his labor behind the plate that’s allowed him to stay this long. Though ideally the Braves won’t need to use him, it’s good to have a dependable veteran on hand in case the team suffers another setback.

It is great news that Jackson Stephens is back with the company. Before Jesse Chavez returned to the Braves, he was expected to take the last slot in the bullpen. In this league, you can never have too much pitching, and in the event that one of the Braves’ existing relievers is out for an extended period of time, Stephens is a more than capable backup.

Dan Quinn continues to bring former Falcons to Washington

In order to bolster his roster in Washington, former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn keeps returning to Atlanta as the Commanders consider Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.

Dorance Armstrong moved here from Dallas, as did a few of his former Falcons teammates. Following Quinn from Dallas to Washington, Dante Fowler joined with Atlanta prior to the 2020 season. Following Olamide Zaccheaus’ recent signing with the Commanders, another Quinn draft pick is on the way.

The organization made the announcement on Tuesday that linebacker Mykal Walker, a former member of the Falcons and Steelers, has signed. During his three seasons in Atlanta, the 2020 fourth-round selection started twenty games.

But the Falcons unexpectedly dismissed Walker last year as they were switching to a new defense under Ryan Nielsen. It was believed at the time that he could have provided Troy Andersen and Kaden Elliss with starting experience and depth.

But Nate Landman turned out to be more than a capable backup linebacker, as we soon discovered. After an injury that ended the season, the undrafted free agent eventually replaced Andersen full time, and he made the most of it.

Walker ended up on the Raiders practice squad after the Bears claimed him off the waiver wire but never made a roster position available for him. About a month later, the injury-plagued Steelers team acquired him after he was released.

Walker made five starts and appeared in eight games, including the Wild Card round against the Bills, after Kwon Alexander and Cole Holcomb suffered season-ending injuries.
Walker’s chances of receiving any meaningful playing time in Washington are little to none. The previous first-round pick Jamin Davis and free agent signings Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu will be positioned ahead of the former Falcons linebacker.