The Atlanta Braves dealt with their fair share of injuries last season, and it played a major role in the club’s disappointing finish. The pitching staff was hit the hardest, as every arm from the Opening Day rotation spent time on the injured list.
As a result, Atlanta frequently searched for replacements on waivers, a strategy that rarely produced the stability they needed. Combined with inconsistency in the lineup, the Braves ultimately missed the postseason.
Still, as the 2026 season approaches, the organization remains optimistic that the team can still remain a contender in the National League, with every pitcher trending toward full health entering spring training.
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Unfortunately, on Tuesday, the first official day of camp with pitchers and catchers reporting, the Braves announced their first setback.
Atlanta placed Spencer Schwellenbach on the 60‑day injured list. Manager Walt Weiss announced that the move was due to right elbow inflammation.
While surgery is not currently expected, Schwellenbach is still projected to miss an extended period, according to Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal‑Constitution.
Walt Weiss said surgery is not expected, but right elbow inflammation is going to keep Schwellenbach out for an extended time https://t.co/e63BoLMzry
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) February 10, 2026
This is a significant blow to Atlanta’s rotation and could push the front office to be more aggressive in pursuing another starter in free agency, where several veteran arms remain available. Whether any of them offer the upside Schwellenbach does is another question.
Last season, the 25‑year‑old posted a 3.09 ERA, 7–4 record, 0.967 WHIP and 108 strikeouts across 110 2/3 innings. He excelled at generating weak contact and has quietly been one of the more underrated young arms in the league.
However, injuries have repeatedly halted his momentum, and this latest setback adds another layer of uncertainty to his development.
The Braves will be cautious with his recovery given his long‑term value, but his absence leaves a sizable workload for the team to cover early in the season.
As Atlanta looks to rebound in 2026, how they navigate this loss will be an early test of the club’s depth and resilience, and a reminder of how thin the margin can be for a team with championship expectations.
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