Walt Weiss has already had to soften his weekend comments, and the update on Spencer Schwellenbach is a much better one for the Braves.
Weiss had initially sounded pessimistic about both Spencer Strider and Schwellenbach, making it seem like neither pitcher was likely to return this season. Strider’s situation still looks bleak after another major elbow injury, but Schwellenbach’s status has shifted in a more hopeful direction. Weiss said Schwellenbach went to Florida during the All-Star break to keep rehabbing, and Alex Anthopoulos later said the right-hander is throwing bullpens and feeling very good.
Sunday on @MLBNetworkRadio Alex Anthopolous said Spencer Schwellenbach is in Florida "throwing bullpens, feeling good." Toward the end of July "he's really gonna step on it and ramp up."
Anthopolous said Spencer Strider is not throwing yet and no timeline on his possible return.
- Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) July 19, 2026
That matters for a Braves club that is trying to line up its pitching for a serious October push. Schwellenbach, when he’s right, profiles as a true frontline starter - the kind of arm who could slot in behind Chris Sale and take the ball in Game 2. But the Braves also know better than to count on a pitcher returning from a long absence and instantly being himself.
The more realistic next step is a rehab assignment, which would function almost like a second spring training. Schwellenbach should be on that path soon, and the process is expected to look similar to what Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver have gone through over the past few months. A September return now feels like the best-case outcome, and if that happens, it would give Schwellenbach enough runway to show he can be part of a postseason rotation.
In Other News...
Braves May Finally Have The Trade Match Fans Have Waited For
The Athletics are reportedly open for business on some of their outfielders, and the timing makes the idea worth watching from Atlantas side. Oaklands goal is straightforward enough, too: it wants young starting pitching in return, which is exactly the kind of currency the Braves have been able to stockpile while trying to patch a lineup that could still use more help in the outfield.
That overlap is what makes this feel more than just another deadline rumor. Atlanta has several young arms it could put into a deal, giving the front office a rare chance to turn pitching depth into a bat without stripping the roster bare, and the As willingness to listen keeps the door open. The question now is whether the Braves are ready to make that kind of move, and which arm they would be willing to part with if they do. [Read more 🡒]
Braves May Have Found A Rotation Fix With One Major Catch
The Braves are still hunting for starting pitching help, and the market is pointing them toward a familiar kind of target: a veteran arm with a track record of taking the ball and keeping a rotation steady. In that search, one possible fit stands out because of both his consistency and his reputation as a two-time All-Star, the kind of pitcher Atlanta could use if it wants more stability behind its top options.
The catch is that any conversation around him is likely to get complicated quickly. Recent pitcher trades with similar contract structures have already shown how hard it can be for clubs to line up on value, and that same issue could make negotiations between Atlanta and Kansas City tricky. If the Braves and Royals see the package differently, the talks could stall before they really get moving, which is why Atlanta may need to keep other rotation options in play. [Read more 🡒]