The Atlanta Braves have made a decisive move to bolster their catching corps as spring training kicks off, officially signing veteran catcher Jonah Heim to a one-year contract on February 10, 2026. The announcement, confirmed by multiple sources including MLB.com, MassLive.com, and the Braves themselves, comes at a pivotal moment for Atlanta, with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp in North Port, Florida, and the team facing uncertainty behind the plate due to Sean Murphy’s injury.
Heim, who will turn 31 in June, arrives in Atlanta seeking a fresh start after being non-tendered by the Texas Rangers this past offseason. Once a linchpin of the Rangers’ 2023 World Series championship squad and an All-Star selection that same year, Heim now looks to reestablish his value in the National League. His signing is seen as both a strategic and risk-averse maneuver by the Braves’ front office, providing much-needed depth and experience behind the plate as the team prepares for the 2026 campaign.
For Braves fans, the news broke in a somewhat old-school fashion. Rather than the team’s usual fanfare on social media, word of Heim’s arrival trickled out via respected baseball insiders. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com first reported the deal, with Braves beat writer Mark Bowman later confirming Heim’s presence in camp. Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com and other outlets quickly followed suit, solidifying the news that Atlanta had landed a catcher with both postseason pedigree and a history of handling big moments.
Heim’s journey to Atlanta has been anything but linear. Drafted by the Orioles in 2013, he made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2020 after years of grinding through the minors and enduring a pair of trades. Acquired by the Rangers in 2021, Heim steadily improved, culminating in a breakout 2023 season. That year, he slashed .258/.317/.438 with 18 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .755 OPS, earning a 107 wRC+ and finishing with 4.0 WAR according to FanGraphs. He was also lauded for his defense, winning a Gold Glove Award and ranking among the league’s elite in framing and caught-stealing metrics. In fact, Heim nabbed 29.3% of would-be base stealers in 2023, well above the league average of 20.6%, and finished in the 95th percentile for framing, per Statcast.
But baseball is a game of constant adjustment, and Heim’s performance regressed sharply over the next two seasons. From 2024 through 2025, he posted a combined .217/.269/.334 batting line over 924 plate appearances—roughly 29% below league average by wRC+. His home run total over those two years was 24, but his OPS plummeted to .602 and his OPS+ dropped to 76. The defensive accolades also faded, with his caught-stealing rate dipping to just 13.7% and his pop time and throwing velocity declining. By the end of the 2025 season, Heim’s fielding run value had fallen to -4, a far cry from his +38 mark between 2021 and 2023. The Rangers, seeking payroll flexibility and unable to find a trade partner, opted to non-tender Heim in November 2025, making him a free agent with one year of team control left.
Despite these struggles, Heim’s leadership, postseason experience, and knowledge of handling a pitching staff remain highly valued. The Braves, facing their own challenges with Sean Murphy recovering from hip surgery and set to begin the season on the injured list, needed a steady hand to support rookie Drake Baldwin. Before Heim’s arrival, Atlanta’s backup options included non-roster invitees Chadwick Tromp, Sandy León, and Jair Camargo—none of whom offered Heim’s combination of major league experience and upside.
Manager Brian Snitker now has the flexibility to rotate lineups, manage workloads, and avoid rushing Murphy back into action. Heim’s presence in the clubhouse is expected to be especially beneficial for Baldwin, last year’s National League Rookie of the Year, as he transitions into a primary role behind the plate. As Mark Bowman of MLB.com noted, “Baldwin should still benefit from being around an experienced catcher like Heim.”
Heim’s contract is for one year, and while financial terms have not been disclosed, his more than five years of major league service time grant him significant rights regarding options and assignments. Should Murphy return to health and the Braves seek to move Heim off the active roster, he can refuse an outright assignment to Triple-A and retain his guaranteed salary. This veteran status gives Heim leverage and ensures the Braves are committed to using him as a key part of their early-season plans.
The Braves’ decision to sign Heim is widely viewed as a shrewd, low-risk move. Even if Heim’s offensive numbers don’t rebound to his 2023 level, his experience and defensive know-how could stabilize a pitching staff that depends on preparation and consistency. As one MLB insider remarked, “If there’s a way that he can bounce back to anywhere approaching that level of performance behind the plate then whatever he does at the plate will at least be acceptable.”
Historical context further underscores the importance of this signing. The Braves, perennial contenders in the National League, have faced their share of adversity behind the plate in recent seasons. Injuries, roster churn, and the pressure of competing in a loaded division have made depth at catcher a persistent concern. Heim’s arrival, then, is as much about organizational stability as it is about on-field production.
Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, another reminder of the unpredictable nature of spring training and the need for roster flexibility. The Braves’ front office, led by Alex Anthopoulos, continues to prioritize depth and experience as the team eyes another postseason run.
For Heim, Atlanta represents a chance to rewrite the narrative of his career. He’s only a few years removed from being one of the game’s most valuable all-around catchers, and the Braves are betting that a change of scenery—and a return to the National League—could spark a resurgence. The club’s coaching staff and fans alike will be watching closely this spring, eager to see if Heim can recapture the form that made him a Gold Glove winner and World Series champion.
As camp unfolds and Opening Day approaches, all eyes will be on the Braves’ catching situation. With Sean Murphy’s return timetable still uncertain—reports suggest a possible May activation—Jonah Heim stands as the immediate front-runner for the backup job, and perhaps more, should opportunity arise. For now, Atlanta’s bet on veteran savvy and postseason experience adds a compelling layer to the club’s 2026 story.