The Atlanta Braves are looking to shake off the disappointment of their 2025 season, a year that saw them miss the postseason for the first time since 2017. Injuries were a major factor in their struggles, with key players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies spending significant time on the injured list. Unfortunately, the injury woes have persisted into the offseason.
After signing Ha-Seong Kim, the Braves faced another setback when Kim required surgery for a torn tendon in his finger, sidelining him for the start of the season. The bad luck continued as pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrop were placed on the 60-day IL, both needing elbow surgeries.
With Spring Training not even halfway through, the Braves' path to October baseball is already challenging. The pressure is on the remaining healthy core to lead the charge. Despite these hurdles, there's optimism that the Braves can surpass their 76-win total from last year.
Tim Kelly from Bleacher Report points out the sheer talent on the roster, suggesting that if the team can stay healthy, they have the potential to return to playoff contention. With stars like Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley anchoring the lineup, the Braves have a formidable group ready to compete.
While capturing a division title could be tough, especially with the New York Mets' offseason moves and the ever-competitive Philadelphia Phillies, the Braves' talent pool is too deep to count them out. If they can keep their key players on the field, the Braves are poised to make some noise in 2026.