Drake Baldwin Gets Big Injury Update: Braves Catcher Back Soon?

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin hasn't played since May 18 as he's been on the 10-day IL while nursing a Grade 1 right oblique strain.

Baldwin has put together a tremendous sophomore season with the Braves who currently have the best record in MLB by two games.

The 25-year-old catcher has a 164 OPS+, which leads the NL. Overall, he's slashing .303/.389/.543 with 13 homers and 38 RBI in just 48 games.

Baldwin's advanced stats are even crazier. He's in the 95th or above percentile is all of the following: xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, barrel %, hard-hit %, and launch angle sweet-spot %. The Braves will become even more dangerous once he returns.

When could Drake Baldwin return?

The good news is that he is, in fact, close to returning. Per 680 The Fan Atlanta, Baldwin is "slated to take live batting practice Thursday and Friday." He could also "be clearned to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett over the weekend."

The Braves begin a six-game homestand on Tuesday next week which would be the perfect time to re-insert him back into the lineup. It seems like Atlanta is targeting that homestand for his return.

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