The Atlanta Braves wrapped up a weekend series against the Dodgers with a sigh of relief — not because they dominated, but because they got through it without another injury headline. That alone might count as a win in this bizarre, body-bruising 2025 season.
Yeah, they dropped two of three to L.A. Saturday was an absolute mess thanks to a monsoon delay and an ugly blowout. But Game 1 and Game 3 were tight, playoff-caliber battles, and in a year that’s already had its share of adversity, a hard-fought loss doesn’t feel quite as bitter.
Let’s check in on the latest buzz surrounding the Braves as the new week kicks off.
Atlanta Braves Sign Austin Cox
Let’s start with the latest roster tweak. The Braves added left-hander Austin Cox on a Major League contract, immediately assigning him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Now, let’s be real: Cox’s MLB resume — just over 35 innings with a 4.54 ERA — won’t make fans sprint to buy his jersey.
But this bullpen needs arms. AJ Minter is gone (even for the Mets now), Joe Jiménez is on the IL, and Raisel Iglesias finally looked sharp on Sunday — but it’s been a rough start overall. The once-mighty pen has suddenly become a vulnerability.
While not a savior, Cox misses bats and was pitching to a 3.55 ERA in Triple-A before being cut loose by the Royals. It’s a classic Braves move: low-risk, potentially useful, and right now, depth matters more than style points.
Eli White’s Magical Run Nearing the Clock Strike
Few players have brought more unexpected joy this season than Eli White. Out of nowhere, the guy went from spring camp longshot to late-game spark plug, proving he could hang in the big leagues with solid defense, timely hitting, and pure hustle.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is inching closer to a return, and Jurickson Profar’s 80-game suspension will expire in the second half. That’s two outfield spots about to get really crowded, really fast.
White has done everything right, but versatility and options take priority when the roster tightens up. And while he might stick around in a utility role, his days as a lineup regular are probably numbered.
Still, hats off to White. He kept the Braves afloat when they needed him. And that matters.
Upcoming Schedule: Brutal Stretch, Manageable Matchups
Here’s the deal: 17 games without a day off. That’s the kind of grind that chews up pitching staffs and tests a team’s depth. But the silver lining? The opponents aren’t world-beaters.
After dealing with the Dodgers, the Braves will host the Reds for four, then hit the road to face the Pirates, Nationals, and Red Sox. Those are teams with talent — no one’s calling them pushovers — but they’re not contenders right now. This is the soft underbelly of the schedule, and if the Braves want to stay in the NL East race, now is the time to make a move.
They’ve hovered around .500 all year, but with Acuña’s return on the horizon and the bullpen hopefully settling down, this stretch could be a launching pad — or another missed opportunity.
Braves Need to Survive, Then Thrive
The Braves didn’t sweep the Dodgers, but they didn’t fall apart either. They added an arm, kept Eli White’s feel-good story alive a little longer, and stayed healthy. In 2025, that’s a win.
Now comes the real test — can they bank some wins over the next two weeks, climb out of third place, and put some pressure on the Mets and Phillies? Or will this just be a season of “almosts” and “ifs”?
We’re about to find out. And with a couple of breaks and a bat like Acuña’s returning soon, there’s still time for Atlanta to remind the league who ran the East for seven straight seasons.
