The Atlanta Braves haven’t even unpacked their gear for Spring Training, and already, the 2026 season is off to a rocky start. Two major blows-one unexpected, the other deeply concerning-have put a dent in the team’s early-season plans.
Let’s start with the first curveball. New free agent addition Ha-Seong Kim is expected to miss 4-5 months after suffering a hand injury in a fall on ice back in Korea.
It’s an unfortunate, freak accident that sidelines a player the Braves were counting on to make an immediate impact. Kim brings versatility, defense, and a solid bat-his absence leaves a noticeable gap in the infield and lineup before a single pitch has been thrown.
But the bigger gut punch came with the news about Spencer Schwellenbach. The 25-year-old right-hander, one of the Braves’ most promising young arms, is being placed on the 60-day injured list due to inflammation in his right elbow. For a team with championship aspirations, this is the kind of early-season development that forces a serious pause.
Schwellenbach had already dealt with elbow issues last year, and while there was hope he’d be ready to go in 2026, this latest setback suggests the problem hasn’t gone away. It’s a tough break for a pitcher who was coming off a strong showing-he posted a 3.09 ERA over 17 starts in 2025, building on an already encouraging 3.35 ERA from the season before. Those numbers aren’t just solid-they’re the kind of stats that signal a young pitcher on the rise.
Now, instead of anchoring the rotation, Schwellenbach will be watching from the sidelines for at least the first couple of months. And that puts more pressure on the rest of Atlanta’s starting staff.
Right now, the Braves’ rotation features Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder. There’s talent there, no doubt-Strider is a strikeout machine when healthy, and Sale showed flashes of his old self last season.
But without Schwellenbach, the depth takes a hit. And with Kim also out, the Braves are suddenly dealing with two major absences before Opening Day.
The front office now faces some tough decisions. Do they ride it out with internal options and hope for a quick recovery? Or does this push them to dip back into the free agent market for a starting arm?
One thing’s clear: the Braves’ margin for error just got slimmer. Schwellenbach’s elbow issue is more than just a personal setback-it’s a potential turning point in how Atlanta approaches the early part of the 2026 season.