Unfortunately, this time it arguably was the worst performance by the Braves all season in a 9-1loss to the Padres. The Braves struggled on the mound, at the plate, and in the field. After having two straight days off last Wednesday and Thursday, Atlanta had hopes Ronald Acuna Jr. could provide a needed spark at the top of the order. However, Acuna Jr. still finds himself searching for better results:

If there is a silver lining, the Braves will start their two best pitchers, Reynaldo Lopez and Chris, on Monday during their doubleheader. Getting at least one win will have to feel good as the Braves look to move past their struggles this weekend.

Braves News

On a more positive note, catcher Sean Murphy is expected to begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday. Murphy has been out since the first game of the season with an oblique strain.

In other injury news, Travis d’Arnaud will likely start the second game on Monday while Austin Riley continues to improve without soreness.

Ray Kerr, who once again looked very good across multiple innings on Sunday, could possibly be given an opportunity to start at some point this season, per Brian Snitker.

Reliever Jackson Stephens elected free agency. He had been outright to Triple A when the Braves reinstated Pierce Johnson from the injured list on Saturday.

Per Bob Nightengale, the Braves could have interest in Tampa Bay right hander Zach Eflin as a potential trade target. Eflin, who has a 4.12 ERA through 10 starts this season, was sixth in the AL Cy Young race last year. He also is signed through 2025.

Justin Toscano of the AJC looks to make sense of the Braves latest Sunday struggles.

Mark Bowman looks at how Ronald Acuna Jr. is trying to manage through his continued his difficult start to the season.

Entering his start on Monday, Chris Sale is looking nearly as good as he did during the peak of his career.

David OBrien discusses how Sale, Lopez, and Marcell Ozuna have been the most reliable sources of success for the Braves so far this year.

Braves Podcast

Grant McCauley had his latest From the Diamond podcast on Sunday.

Brad Rowland and Garrett Spain of Battery Power look at the latest from the Braves minor leagues and the lack of offense in Atlanta on the latest Hammer Territory Podcast.

MLB News

The Phillies continue to roll with a weekend sweep of the Nationals. They are now 20 games above .500 at 34-14, and have a five game lead over the Braves in the NL East.

The Mets topped the Marlins on Sunday after shuffling the batting order.

Shohei Ohtani delivered his first walk-off has a Dodger.

In the latest MLB.com power rankings, the Phillies continue as the best team in baseball with the Braves in the 5th spot.

Reliever Amir Garrett elected free agency after his stint with the Angles.