NORTH PORT, Fla. – On Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves became the first among the three Major League Baseball teams training on the Suncoast to have their pitchers and catchers report for spring training. The team is preparing for a season that they hope will end with a return to the playoffs after missing out on the 2025 postseason.
Preparation and Recent Performance
Ground crews worked early Tuesday morning to ensure the fields were in excellent condition for the Braves as they begin practice aimed at improving from last year’s 76-86 record that placed them fourth in the National League East. The team has a strong recent history, having made the playoffs for six consecutive seasons before 2025 and winning the franchise’s fourth World Series title in 2021.
New Leadership Under Walt Weiss
The Braves enter the season under the direction of first-year manager Walt Weiss, a familiar face within the organization. Weiss played as a shortstop for Atlanta between 1998 and 2000 and returned as a coach from 2018 until the end of 2025 before being named manager. This marks his second managerial role in MLB, following his time with the Colorado Rockies from 2013 to 2016.
Speaking with the media, Weiss shared insight into the team’s strategy, saying,
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We’re neutralizing some platoon situations here with all of our switch hitters,
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and adding,
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We can play the matchup game really well.
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— Walt Weiss, Manager
Upcoming Schedule and Expectations for the Season
All Braves players are set to begin full team practices on Sunday, February 15. The first spring training game is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, when Atlanta will face the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte. The team aims to use these sessions to sharpen their skills and chemistry ahead of the regular season, focusing on strategies that may help them reach the postseason once again.
Looking Ahead for the Braves and Their Fans
The start of spring training signals a critical phase for the Braves as they seek to improve upon a disappointing 2025 season. With an experienced but new managerial approach under Weiss and key players working on their roles, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Atlanta can reclaim its status as a playoff contender. The decisions and performances in this early period could shape the team’s chances and objectives for 2026.
