Braves Open Spring Training with High Hopes-and Early Injury Hurdles
Spring is in the air, and with it comes the return of baseball. The Atlanta Braves have officially kicked off Spring Training in North Port, Florida, but the start of camp hasn’t come without a few bumps in the road.
Pitchers and catchers reported earlier this week, and while there's plenty of optimism surrounding this year's squad, the Braves are already navigating some early adversity. Manager Walt Weiss is being tested right out of the gate, as right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach is expected to miss Opening Day-and possibly more-due to inflammation and bone spurs in his throwing elbow. It’s a tough break for the young arm, who was looking to make an impact early this season.
Unfortunately, Schwellenbach isn’t alone on the injury list. Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, catcher Sean Murphy, and right-hander Joe Jimenez are also expected to miss Opening Day. That’s a significant chunk of talent sidelined before the first pitch of the regular season, and it puts added pressure on the rest of the roster to step up during camp.
Still, this is a Braves team built for resilience. With a deep lineup, one of the most dynamic offenses in the game, and a pitching staff that’s shown it can go toe-to-toe with anyone, Atlanta isn’t hitting the panic button just yet. Spring Training is all about preparation, evaluation, and yes, a little improvisation when injuries pop up.
There’s also plenty for fans to look forward to over the next few weeks. The Braves and Gray Media have teamed up to broadcast 15 Spring Training games for free across Atlanta News First and other Gray stations throughout the Southeast. It’s a great opportunity for fans to get an early look at how the roster is shaping up, who’s making a push for a roster spot, and how the team is adjusting to the early absences.
Circle the calendar for March 27-that’s when the real action begins. The Braves will open the 2026 regular season at home against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park.
Between now and then, there’s work to be done, roles to be won, and questions to be answered. But one thing’s for sure: baseball is back, and the Braves are gearing up for another run.