Braves Grapple with Early Injuries as Camp Opens - Schwellenbach Out, Heim In
Spring training is barely underway, and the Atlanta Braves are already dealing with a tough curveball. On what should’ve been a fresh start for new manager Walt Weiss, the club is instead facing a significant setback: right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach will open the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list.
The 25-year-old, who hasn't pitched since late June due to a small fracture in his right elbow, is now dealing with bone spurs and inflammation in the same area. While the Braves were hopeful he'd be ready to go this spring, that timeline has officially been pushed back - and late May is now the earliest possible return.
The silver lining? Schwellenbach’s ulnar collateral ligament - the one responsible for so many dreaded Tommy John surgeries - is intact. But even with that bit of good news, this is a tough blow for a young arm who was trending toward becoming a key piece in the Braves’ rotation.
Weiss acknowledged the challenge right away.
“I always say, before a season even starts, your pitching depth is going to get tested,” Weiss said. “It’s inevitable, you know. But you’d rather not have it happen right away in February.”
And he’s not wrong. Schwellenbach looked like a breakout candidate after a stellar 2024 campaign, climbing from High-A to the majors and finishing the year with a 3.35 ERA over 21 starts. Before the injury derailed his 2025 season, he had posted a 3.09 ERA and an impressive 0.96 WHIP across 17 starts - numbers that had fans and front office alike buzzing about his ceiling.
He was on track this offseason, too. Throwing bullpens, building strength, progressing as expected - until a recent session raised some red flags.
“He was doing great,” Weiss said. “The last bullpen he threw was a week and a half ago or so, and it wasn’t great. That’s when the red flags went off.”
The Braves see Schwellenbach as a potential front-line starter, and Weiss didn’t shy away from that.
“He’s a legitimate top-of-the-rotation type guy. It hurts to lose a guy like that.”
More Injury Woes: Murphy, Kim Also Out to Start Season
Schwellenbach’s injury isn’t the only issue the Braves are facing. Two key position players - catcher Sean Murphy and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim - will also miss the start of the season.
Murphy is recovering from surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip and isn’t expected back until May. Kim, meanwhile, had surgery last month to fix a torn tendon in his right middle finger. He’s on a similar timeline.
That’s three starters - a top arm, a Gold Glove-caliber catcher, and a dynamic shortstop - all sidelined before the first spring game.
What the Rotation Looks Like Now
So what does the rotation look like without Schwellenbach?
At the top, it’s still strong: Chris Sale and Spencer Strider give the Braves a one-two punch with ace-level upside. Reynaldo López slots in behind them, and from there, it gets interesting.
The remaining spots will likely come down to a mix of Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Hurston Waldrep, and Joey Wentz. The club also has veteran lefty Martin Perez in camp, giving them another option to chew innings if needed.
Waldrep, in particular, could be the name to watch. He flashed real promise late last season and might be the most likely to grab a rotation spot out of the gate. But Holmes, Elder, and Wentz all bring something to the table - whether it’s Elder’s experience, Holmes’ upside, or Wentz’s left-handed depth.
Even with internal options, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Braves dip back into the free-agent market. Justin Verlander is off the board after signing with the Tigers, but arms like Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito, and Max Scherzer are still available.
And according to Weiss, president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos is already working the phones.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Alex is on the phone doing whatever he can,” Weiss said. “Whether anything comes of it, I don’t know. But I know Alex is in relentless pursuit of improving this roster.”
Braves Add Jonah Heim Behind the Plate
With Murphy out, the Braves made a move to bolster their catching depth, signing Jonah Heim to a one-year, $1.25 million deal.
Heim, 30, brings a strong resume. A switch-hitter with postseason experience, he played a key role in the Rangers’ 2023 World Series run, hitting .258 with 18 home runs and 95 RBIs over 131 games. That year, he was also the American League’s starting catcher in the All-Star Game and took home a Gold Glove.
While his production dipped over the past two seasons - he’s posted a combined bWAR of 1.5 since 2024 - Heim still offers value, especially as a veteran presence with defensive chops and the ability to handle a pitching staff.
Weiss likes what Heim brings to the table.
“You get a guy with a winning pedigree, switch hitter. We’re neutralizing some platoon situations here with all our switch hitters. We can play the matchup game really well and Jonah adds to that.”
Heim is expected to share duties behind the plate with reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, at least until Murphy is ready to return.
Big Picture
The Braves are still in a strong position. Injuries are part of the game, and this team has the depth and leadership to weather the storm.
But losing Schwellenbach, Murphy, and Kim this early is no small thing. It puts pressure on the rotation, on the lineup, and on the front office to find reinforcements.
Still, with a top-tier core, a savvy front office, and a manager who’s been through the grind, Atlanta isn’t panicking. They’re adjusting - and they’ve got the pieces to stay competitive while they wait for reinforcements to return.