Since the universal DH came to the National League in 2022, the Atlanta Braves have comfortably slotted Marcell Ozuna into that role the majority of the time. However, with Ozuna set to become a free agent for the first time since 2021, Atlanta will likely have to address DH in a different manner than they have done the past three seasons.
Unless Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos really wants Ozuna back in 2026, or is prepared to throw a lot of cash at Kyle Schwarber, a full-time DH may be a thing of the past for the Atlanta Braves next season. A lot of things will factor into the route Atlanta ultimately goes (including who they hire as manager), but Braves insider Mark Bowman seems to think the DH spot will finally see a committee take the reigns rather than one individual over the course of 162.
Braves could be set to rotate players in at DH next season
In Bowman’s latest article, he mentions how the need for a full-time DH may be nonexistent this winter. Bow makes a good point on how the $16 million they paid Ozuna in 2025 could be reallocated to other needs on the roster. Meanwhile, you could have a host of players rotate into the DH spot to keep them fresh during the marathon of the regular season.
Bowman mentions names like Ronald Acuña Jr., Jurickson Profar, Sean Murphy, and even iron-man Matt Olson as players who could benefit getting off their feet and DHing from time to time. In today’s age of roster construction, a flexible DH spot makes a lot more sense than having one guy who can’t play defense hold the DH spot hostage. Unless that DH is hitting like 2023-2024 Marcell Ozuna or 2025 Kyle Schwarber then giving up the roster flexibility isn’t the smartest idea.
Reading the tea leaves it’s starting to sound like Anthopoulos and company feel a flexible DH spot is the way to go in 2026. Of course a lot of this is dependent on which players Atlanta adds this winter, but as things stand the DH role looks to be headed in a new, more exciting direction in 2026.
