Drake Baldwin Begins Rehab Assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett This Weekend

In a welcome development for the Atlanta Braves, catcher Drake Baldwin is set to embark on a rehab stint with the Gwinnett Stripers starting Saturday. This news comes just a day after Hurston Waldrep began his own rehabilitation journey, making it an encouraging time for the Braves as they look to bolster their roster.

According to a press release from the Gwinnett Stripers, Baldwin will join the team for an injury rehab assignment beginning June 13. The 25-year-old has been on the Braves’ 10-day Injured List since May 19 due to a strained right oblique muscle. He is slated to make his return in Gwinnett’s game against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at 6:35 p.m. at VyStar Ballpark.

Before his injury, Baldwin had been a key player for the Braves, appearing in 48 games and boasting a .303 batting average with six doubles, 13 home runs, and 38 RBIs, along with an impressive .932 OPS. Over his career, including his standout 2025 National League Rookie of the Year season, he has accumulated a .283 average, with 24 doubles, 32 homers, and 118 RBIs across 172 games.

This rehab assignment signifies Baldwin’s return to familiar territory; he previously played for the Stripers during the 2023-24 seasons, where he hit .300 with 13 doubles and 13 home runs in 75 games. Initially, there was hope from the Braves, particularly from manager Walt Weiss, that Baldwin could skip the rehab stint and return directly to the big leagues. However, the decision was made that a rehab assignment would be more beneficial for his recovery.

As Baldwin gears up for this weekend, the Braves are optimistic about having their star catcher back in the lineup soon. While Sandy León and Austin Wynns have stepped up in Baldwin’s absence, his power and presence in the batting order have certainly been missed. The organization and fans alike are eager to see Baldwin back in action, contributing both behind the plate and as a designated hitter.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.