The Atlanta Braves have officially reunited with veteran catcher Chadwick Tromp, signing him to a minor league contract, as reflected on the organization’s most recent transaction log. This move marks yet another chapter in Tromp’s ongoing relationship with Atlanta, a team he has been connected to off and on for several years. Tromp actually opened the 2025 MLB season on the Braves’ Opening Day roster, filling in as one of the club’s two primary catchers.
However, the situation shifted once Sean Murphy made his return from the fractured rib injury that sidelined him during Spring Training. When Murphy was activated, the Braves were forced to designate Tromp for assignment, and that procedural decision ultimately led to his brief stint with the Baltimore Orioles, where he logged additional major league playing time last year.
Now, with Tromp back in the fold, Atlanta reinforces a catching group that needed more depth than it had by the end of the 2025 season. The front office faced a depth shortage after Chuckie Robinson, a late-season addition, was removed from the 40-man roster and decided to explore opportunities elsewhere by choosing free agency. Robinson’s departure left the Braves with fewer experienced catching options, especially for organizational depth roles that become essential during the long grind of a 162-game schedule.
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Earlier in the offseason, Atlanta thought it had secured another veteran presence by signing Austin Nola, a long-time MLB backstop who has caught for several clubs and was expected to compete for a spot within the system. However, Nola made an unexpected career shift, electing to accept a job as the bullpen coach for the Seattle Mariners, which left the Braves once again searching for a stabilizing veteran catcher. Tromp’s return helps fill exactly that void.
As the Braves look ahead to the 2026 season, their depth chart behind the plate appears to be led by two players: Drake Baldwin, the organization’s breakout star who captured the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year Award, and the returning starter Sean Murphy, who is expected to reestablish himself following his injury-plagued 2025 campaign.
Baldwin’s rapid emergence gave Atlanta a long-term answer at the position—something few teams are fortunate to possess—while Murphy’s track record as an elite defender and strong hitter gives the Braves one of the most formidable catching tandems in the National League.
However, even with that strong duo in place at the major league level, every contending club needs trustworthy depth options, particularly at premium defensive positions like catcher. Injuries, workload management, and the unpredictable nature of a long season all make it essential for organizations to maintain reliable backup choices.
This is where Tromp’s value becomes particularly clear. Having been part of the Braves’ organization from the end of the 2021 season through early 2025, Tromp brings with him a familiarity with the pitching staff, the coaching personnel, the analytical systems, and the expectations of the team’s culture. That kind of internal knowledge is not easily replaced, and it often becomes an important factor when minor league catchers are needed to step into major league roles—even temporarily.
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Given the structure of the Braves’ roster, Tromp is widely expected to serve as the primary catcher at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he can work closely with the organization’s minor league pitchers while also staying ready should the major league club need him at any point during the season. Teams frequently shuffle catchers between the big leagues and Triple-A throughout a season, and Tromp is the type of steady, experienced player a front office can trust in those situations.
Tromp’s professional career has been defined by persistence, adaptability, and his ability to contribute in a part-time role. Since making his MLB debut in 2020, he has appeared in 67 big league games, providing depth to multiple rosters while occasionally stepping into meaningful situations. Those 67 games represent a mix of opportunities across several years, and while that amount of playing time may not be massive by veteran-catcher standards, it still reflects a player who has proven capable of handling major league pitchers and contributing positively when called upon.
During his time with Atlanta specifically, Tromp has played in 28 games spanning four partial seasons, offering the Braves a reliable presence behind the plate whenever injuries or roster movement opened the door for him to return to the majors.
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While Tromp is unlikely to challenge Baldwin or Murphy for significant playing time at the big league level in 2026, his role should not be understated. Contending teams routinely rely on their Triple-A depth to navigate the inevitable challenges of a long season, and the most successful organizations often place great value on veteran catchers who understand game-calling, pitcher development, and the subtleties of handling a pitching staff.
Tromp checks all of those boxes. His familiarity with Atlanta’s system makes him especially valuable, as he can help both young pitchers adjusting to Triple-A competition and rehabbing major leaguers who may need to make tune-up starts with Gwinnett throughout the season.
Furthermore, Tromp’s return restores some of the stability that the Braves momentarily lost with the unexpected departures of Nola and Robinson. While neither player was expected to carry a major load for the team, both represented experienced catching options who could provide insurance behind Baldwin and Murphy. With Tromp back in the mix, Atlanta’s depth chart now looks more complete, giving the front office assurance that the organization has at least one trusted veteran available in the upper minors.
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From Tromp’s perspective, the reunion likely offers advantages as well. Having spent multiple years in the Braves’ system, he is comfortable with their developmental approach, understands their expectations for catchers, and has established relationships with both pitchers and coaches. Those factors can make a minor league assignment more appealing than joining a completely new organization.
Additionally, the Braves have been one of MLB’s most successful franchises in recent years, and players often value the opportunity to remain with competitive teams, even if their immediate role is in Triple-A. If injuries occur or if Atlanta needs to adjust its roster midseason, Tromp could once again find himself receiving playing time at the highest level.
From a broader roster-building perspective, Tromp’s re-signing is consistent with how the Braves have managed their catching depth in recent seasons. Atlanta has generally prioritized stability behind the plate, preferring players who are familiar with the system and who can contribute defensively while managing pitchers effectively.
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For a club built around strong pitching and defensive fundamentals, having multiple catchers who understand the team’s game-planning approach is invaluable. Tromp has proven capable in those areas, and his experience with the organization’s pitching staff—ranging from young prospects to established major league starters—adds another layer of reliability.
As the Braves continue shaping their 2026 roster, Tromp’s role will likely remain stable and well-defined: a veteran Triple-A catcher, knowledgeable organizational depth piece, and emergency call-up option should the need arise.
These types of signings rarely generate major headlines, but they often play a significant role over the course of a long season, especially for teams with postseason aspirations. While much of the focus in Atlanta will remain on stars like Baldwin and Murphy, the presence of someone like Tromp behind them provides a stronger foundation for the catching unit as a whole.
In summary, Chadwick Tromp’s return to the Braves on a minor league deal strengthens Atlanta’s catching depth at a time when the organization needed additional stability. After stints with both the Braves and Orioles in 2025, Tromp re-enters a familiar environment where his experience and organizational knowledge are likely to be put to good use.
With Baldwin and Murphy anchoring the major league roster, Tromp is expected to serve as an important depth piece at Triple-A Gwinnett, ready to contribute whenever necessary. His career may not be defined by everyday playing time, but his presence provides Atlanta with exactly what championship-caliber teams require: dependable, experienced, and team-oriented depth at a crucial position.
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