The Atlanta Braves acquired catcher Joey Bart from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-hander Hunter Stratton, adding MLB catching depth after another shuffle behind the plate.
MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Braves announced the trade and designated veteran catcher Sandy Leon for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot. MLB's official transaction feed listed Bart as activated from the 10-day injured list by Atlanta on June 19.
Bart Gives Atlanta Another Catching Option
Bart, 29, had been on the injured list because of an infection in his left foot and had not played in the majors since May 9, according to MLBTR. He had been on a minor league rehab assignment before the trade.
MLB's player feed identifies Bart as a catcher and lists his 2026 Pittsburgh line at .259/.290/.379 with two home runs, six RBIs and 21 games played. The former No. 2 overall pick now returns near home after growing up in Georgia and playing at Georgia Tech.
Atlanta's need was straightforward. MLBTR reported that Sean Murphy broke his finger five weeks ago, while Drake Baldwin recently returned from an oblique injury. The trade points toward a Baldwin-Bart catching pair for the near term.
The move ends Leon's six-week run on the Braves roster. MLBTR reported that Leon appeared in 21 games this season and had four hits in 44 plate appearances, all singles.
Stratton Returns To Pirates System
Pittsburgh received Stratton, a 29-year-old right-handed pitcher who was originally drafted by the Pirates in the 16th round in 2017. MLB's transaction feed showed the Pirates optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 19.
Stratton had made one MLB appearance for Atlanta this season, throwing one scoreless inning, according to MLB's season pitching feed. MLBTR reported that he has a 3.75 ERA over 60 career major league appearances and a 4.38 ERA in 21 2/3 minor league innings this season.
The trade also gives Pittsburgh a low-cost bullpen depth option after moving on from a catcher who was squeezed by Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis. Bart is out of minor league options, which made the roster fit tighter once he was ready to return.
MLBTR reported Bart is making $2.53 million this season, with roughly $1.3 million still owed, and that the Braves will take on the remaining salary plus a luxury-tax overage fee. Bart can go through arbitration one more time next offseason.