The Atlanta Braves entered the 2026 Spring Training with the familiar, nagging hope that their pitching depth would remain intact, a dream that was shattered on February 10th. The club announced that standout young right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach will begin the season on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
While tests reportedly showed no damage to his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), the news is a devastating blow, as Schwellenbach was expected to be a key fixture in the rotation after a promising 2025 campaign that was cut short by a different elbow injury. Having to miss at least the first two months of the 2026 season brings familiar, unsettling questions to Atlanta’s pitching plans. With Schwellenbach out until at least late May, here are three critical storylines to watch in the wake of this announcement.
Top Storylines After Schwellenbach’s 60-Day IL Placement
1. Who Fills Out the Rotation?
The most pressing question is who fills the void in the starting rotation for the first two months of the season. The injury bug, having already taken out Schwellenbach, leaves behind a high-pressure situation for both coaching staff and prospective replacements.
According to new manager Walt Weiss, while the top of the rotation features stalwarts like Chris Sale and Spencer Strider, the rest of the rotation is wide open. Hurston Waldrep was the favorite to be the fourth guy in the rotation behind Schwellenbach and is now likely the favorite to bump up to third. This leaves at least two other spots open for guys like Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes, Reynaldo Lopez, or even a free-agent acquisition.
Elder is an experienced option who has handled full-season workloads. He is a logical, high-floor plug-in candidate. Holmes has demonstrated reliability and is a strong candidate for a rotation spot or a bulk-inning role. The Braves likely preferred for Lopez to move back into a bullpen role going into the season, but with the loss of Schwellenbach, Atlanta may need to consider keeping him in the rotation if they don’t go sign another rotation piece before the start of the season. The competition for these spots will be intense, as the Braves cannot afford a slow start to the season while waiting for reinforcements to arrive.
2. The Return of the “Next Man Up” Rotation Strategy
For years, the Braves have navigated pitcher injuries with a “next man up” mentality, often relying on their deep farm system or under-the-radar acquisitions to keep the ship afloat. Following the 2025 season, which saw major injuries to the staff, this 2026 injury makes it feel like the same thing could happen all over again.
The storyline to watch here is whether this injury forces Alex Anthopoulos to move beyond internal options and make an external acquisition. With Schwellenbach’s, or potentially other, injuries on the horizon, the Braves have already been connected to free-agent options such as Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt. The team might look to mirror their approach from earlier in the offseason, where they quickly addressed infield issues, to secure another veteran arm, rather than trusting solely on young arms to bridge the gap until late May.
3. Schwellenbach’s Long-Term Health and Future
The 60-day IL designation isn’t just about the first two months of 2026; it highlights the concerning trend of elbow issues for the 25-year-old. After missing the final three months of 2025 with a fractured right elbow, this latest inflammation, even if only caused by bone spurs, raises questions about his ability to stay healthy and his future workload.
Fans and the organization will be closely watching his rehab process, which involves a four-week shutdown. The hope is that he can return to full strength, but there is at least a possibility that Schwellenbach will not pitch at all this season. The recurring nature of the issues in his throwing arm makes his long-term health a defining story for the team’s future success. If the issue is chronic, it could force a major, long-term pivot in how the Braves structure their rotation.
Final Thoughts
This is a big blow to a team that many felt would have a massive bounce-back season. The Braves and their fans are, unfortunately, well-versed in handling pitching injuries. While the news about Schwellenbach is bleak, it presents an opportunity for other pitchers to make their mark. The key for Atlanta in 2026 will be how well they can navigate these first two months without one of their brightest young stars, and whether their depth, as often cited by management, is truly strong enough to handle another significant, early blow.
Main Image: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
