The Atlanta Braves are preparing for a challenging stretch, beginning with a weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers on the road before returning to Atlanta to host the Los Angeles Dodgers early next week.
After Thursday’s 2-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox, Atlanta also received news involving a former player who saw limited action with the club earlier this season.
Austin Wynns is officially a free agent after clearing waivers following his release by the Texas Rangers.
Texas designated Wynns for assignment earlier this week, but no team claimed the veteran catcher. Rather than accept a minor-league assignment, Wynns elected free agency, allowing him to negotiate with any MLB team.
Braves fans may remember Wynns from earlier this season, when Atlanta was dealing with injuries to Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy. The veteran catcher appeared in six games for the Braves during that stretch, collecting just one hit before eventually moving on.
MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams highlighted several aspects of Wynns’ defensive game, noting that while his pitch-framing numbers were below average early in his career, he has been roughly average in that area over the last five seasons. Wynns has also developed a reputation as a capable blocker and an effective defender against the running game, owning a career caught-stealing rate of 29%.
Although he has struggled to throw out runners this season, going 4-for-28, Wynns posted an impressive 40.7% caught-stealing rate in 2025, successfully catching 11 of 27 attempted base stealers.
Taking a Look at Austin Wynns’ MLB Career
After being released by the Texas Rangers, Austin Wynns has now appeared for three MLB teams during the 2026 season. The veteran catcher has spent time with the Athletics, Braves and Rangers this year.
Wynns has played for eight organizations over the course of his eight-year MLB career. In 313 career games, he owns a .230 batting average with 20 home runs and 85 RBIs.
The 35-year-old actually performed reasonably well at the plate during his brief stint with Texas, hitting .276 with a home run and an RBI in 14 games. However, his age and the Rangers’ decision to bring Danny Jansen back from the injured list ultimately left Wynns without a spot on the roster.
There is always a possibility Texas could look to bring him back on a minor-league contract, but for now, Wynns is free to explore his options and find his next MLB opportunity.
