The Atlanta Braves are preparing for a challenging stretch, beginning with a weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers on the road before returning home to host the Los Angeles Dodgers next week.
After Thursday’s victory, Atlanta also received an update involving former catcher Austin Wynns, who spent a brief period with the team earlier this season.
Wynns has now cleared waivers after being released by the Texas Rangers and has elected free agency. Because no team claimed him, the veteran catcher declined a minor-league assignment and is free to negotiate with any MLB organization.
His availability could make him an appealing depth option for teams in need of catching help.
The 35-year-old briefly joined Atlanta earlier this season when the Braves were dealing with injuries to catchers Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy.
Wynns appeared in six games for Atlanta and collected one hit before eventually moving on. His time with the Braves was short, but he provided temporary coverage during a difficult stretch behind the plate.
Defensively, Wynns has built a reputation for handling the catching position competently. While his pitch-framing numbers were below average earlier in his career, he has generally been closer to league average in recent seasons.
He has also been dependable at blocking pitches and controlling the running game, although his success throwing out baserunners has declined this season.
Wynns has now played for three MLB teams in 2026 and eight organizations during his eight-year major-league career. Across 312 games, he owns a .230 batting average with 20 home runs and 85 RBIs.
Despite producing reasonably well offensively for Texas, his age and overall performance likely contributed to his release, leaving the veteran catcher searching for his next opportunity.
