Michael Harris II returns to the lineup… in left field?!
Harris has never played anything but center field in MLB, but will play left field tonight
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves catches a fly ball in the fourth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on April 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr.
/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Braves have been good so far, but they’re also keeping it interesting as they navigate injuries and the inexorable grind of the season. Tonight’s bit of intrigue: Michael Harris II is back, but… he’s in left field! I guess that gives his ailing quad muscle a bit of a break relative to center field, where Mauricio Dubon will continue to flag balls down, and Mike Yastrzemski shifts to right.
So, Drake Baldwin remains at leadoff, but Harris returns to the starting lineup and hits cleanup. Dominic Smith also makes his return at DH, as Sean Murphy sits a day after being activated from the Injured List. Someone asked earlier, and I looked it up — the Braves haven’t had someone listed at catcher hit leadoff since 1973.
I still think it’s kind of weird that the Braves deliberately going with three blocks of the same handedness rather than alternating them, but that may not have a huge effect. It’s just somewhat contrary to usual practice. For the Mariners, Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh returns to the lineup, though he’s ensconced at DH for now.