ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are wasting no time fortifying their roster depth for the 2026 season, signing veteran catcher Austin Nola to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league Spring Training, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The 35-year-old, brother of Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola, brings six years of MLB experience to a Braves system looking to bolster its catching corps behind Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy.
Nola, who last played in the majors with the Colorado Rockies in 2025, appeared in 14 games, hitting .184 with a .436 OPS and one RBI across 38 at-bats. His career, primarily with the San Diego Padres (2020-23) and Seattle Mariners (2019), includes a .249 average and .696 OPS over 324 games, with a peak .825 OPS in the shortened 2020 season. While his 2025 Triple-A stint in Albuquerque yielded a .278 average and seven homers, his .245 mark in Omaha (Royals affiliate) showed resilience in tougher conditions.
Depth, Not Drama, for Atlanta
This signing is a classic depth move, not a headline-grabber. The Braves’ catching tandem of Baldwin, fresh off a stellar rookie year (.265/.342/.452), and Murphy, recovering from hip surgery, remains intact, with Murphy a potential trade candidate. Nola joins Chuckie Robinson and possibly Sandy León (whose recent re-signing remains unconfirmed amid conflicting reports) as insurance options. Atlanta’s 2025 minor league depth included Jason Delay and James McCann, neither of whom reached the majors, with McCann departing for Arizona and Curt Casali cut before camp ended.
Nola’s value lies in his veteran presence and versatility. Beyond catching, he’s played second base, third base, first base, and even outfield in the majors, though his multi-positional days were last notable in 2022. If called up, he’d likely serve as a third catcher for late-inning needs or injury cover, mentoring prospects like Baldwin in Triple-A Gwinnett if he remains in the minors.
Spring Training Strategy
The Braves’ front office, led by Alex Anthopoulos, routinely adds non-roster invitees for Spring Training to fill out split-squad games and provide organizational depth. Fans craving blockbuster moves—like a Sonny Gray trade or Ronald Acuña Jr. decision—may find Nola’s signing underwhelming, but it’s a pragmatic step. As Nightengale noted on X on October 21, 2025, such moves are standard, with Nola’s role mirroring León’s veteran mentorship the past two seasons.
With a 2025 season marred by injuries and a payroll-conscious approach, Atlanta is prioritizing flexibility. Nola’s low-risk deal could pay dividends if injuries strike or if he sparks a sibling showdown against Aaron Nola in Braves-Phillies matchups.
