Braves Add All-Star Catcher to Spring Training Roster, Murphy Progressing

As Atlanta Braves pitchers and catchers get their work outs started, there are a few notable updates for the latter position

The Braves add yet another former All-Star to their list of catchers | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Pitchers and catchers start their workouts in North Port today, and an All-Star is joining in. According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, longtime Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim is in camp with the Atlanta Braves.

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the deal is a one-year major league contract. With Sean Murphy working his way back from hip surgery, the Braves have to decide who will back up Drake Baldwin in the interim.

Murphy said during an availability Tuesday morning that he will begin running exercises on Monday, with a return in May still being the target.

Less than three years ago, Heim was an All-Star, a gold glove winner and a World Series champion all in one season. He was part of that surprise run by the Rangers to capture their first title in franchise history. However, like other notable names on that team, such as Adolis Garcia, that star power didn't stick

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Following last season, the Rangers opted to move on from their starting catcher, choosing not to tender him a contract. He went unsigned, and the Braves scooped him up in some capacity.

Last season, he batted .213 with a .602 OPS, 77 OPS+, 11 home runs and 43 RBIs

The possibility of a third catcher shouldn't be ruled out. If the Braves opt to still use both Baldwin and Murphy at catcher and DH this season to get both their bats in the lineup, they'll need another catcher for an option-late in games.

Last season, they brought up Sandy León to originally be a third option while the two rotated. When Marcell Ozuna took back his spot at the DH, León was back in the minors until Murphy got hurt and the Braves needed a second catcher.

León, along with Chadwick Tromp, is also part of the spring training roster as a non-roster player. One of them seemed poised to be the interim backup, but the addition of Heim changes those prospects quite a bit.

While his defense took a step back last season, he would still be a better option offensively in a backup role. Both León and Tromp both hit below the Mendoza line last season, and both posted an OPS well below what Heim finished with.

The battle of the job is officially on, but there is plenty of reasons for why Heim should be considered to have a sizeable early lead.