The Atlanta Braves are once again grappling with pitching woes as the 2026 season approaches. With the regular season still a month away, the Braves are dealing with a significant setback: promising right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach has been sidelined.
In a blow to their rotation, Schwellenbach has been placed on the 60-day injured list due to elbow inflammation. The Braves are hopeful it's just bone spurs and not something more serious.
Throughout the offseason, it was evident that Atlanta needed to bolster their starting rotation. General manager Alex Anthopoulos was clear that any addition had to be postseason-ready. This stance remained unchanged as the Braves explored their options.
“We’ve explored the starting rotation, adding and getting some type of starter, whether that’s a trade or signing. We’d like for it to be someone impactful, someone we think can start a playoff game,” Anthopoulos emphasized.
However, the situation has become more pressing. With two starters expected to miss at least the first half of the season, the Braves have yet to make a significant move to fill the gap. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal shed some light on the Braves' strategy.
“They feel, perhaps, that Bryce Elder can hold this down in a way that at least buys them some time,” Rosenthal noted.
With Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep out, Bryce Elder is now poised to step into the rotation. Entering Spring Training, Elder's spot was uncertain, but now he faces the challenge of stabilizing the rotation in the early months. The team's public backing could be just what Elder needs to rebound from a challenging 2025 season.