The Atlanta Braves are navigating choppy waters early in the season, as injuries have begun to plague their pitching staff once again. This echoes the challenges they faced last year. First, Spencer Schwellenbach went down on the very first day of Spring Training, and now the focus shifts to Hurston Waldrep.
Manager Walt Weiss revealed that Waldrep might require surgery to address "loose bodies" in his arm. Despite Waldrep experiencing discomfort during batting practice, an MRI has thankfully shown no ligament damage. However, the Braves are still awaiting further test results to get a clearer picture of his condition.
With several rotation free agents already off the market, the Braves find themselves with limited options. Lucas Giolito has emerged as a key target, as Atlanta looks to bolster its pitching lineup.
According to league sources, Giolito's market is heating up, with the Braves and the San Diego Padres leading the charge. The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are also keeping tabs, maintaining contact since the Winter Meetings.
Zachary Rotman from FanSided suggests that the Braves are well-positioned to secure Giolito. With Zac Gallen no longer available, Giolito stands out as the top free agent.
While Giolito may not have Gallen's ceiling, his 3.41 ERA over 26 starts with the Boston Red Sox last season makes him an attractive option. The Braves are not in need of an ace; rather, they need a reliable No. 4 or No. 5 starter to eat up innings, and Giolito fits that bill.
Atlanta was already in need of pitching reinforcements before these injuries hit, and now the urgency has only increased. GM Alex Anthopoulos is actively working the phones and exploring free-agent avenues to address this critical need.
There's a palpable sense that addressing this pitching gap earlier in the offseason would have provided more comfort for the Braves. Now, they are in a race against time to patch up a significant roster vulnerability.