Alex Anthopoulos met with the media Friday afternoon to share some key thoughts about the upcoming season. One of his first assignments was to address the state of the Atlanta Braves rotation, and he quickly reiterated his desire to add a starter “capable of making a playoff start.” By day’s end, however, perhaps the last free-agent pitcher who fit that description had signed elsewhere, further narrowing the club’s options.
According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, Zac Gallen has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gallen represented one of the few remaining free-agent starters with legitimate upside, and the Braves had been mentioned as a potential suitor for much of the offseason. With the market now even thinner and a rotation spot still unfilled, Atlanta is left searching for answers.
Braves General Manager and President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos was asked by @mlbbowman if there was consideration for another pitcher for insurance: pic.twitter.com/a7KFApXjyi
— Baillie Burmaster (@baillie_burm) February 13, 2026
It's starting to look bleak in the Braves' search for another starting pitcher
While the options were already limited entering February, many fans still believed Alex Anthopoulos could find a late upgrade for the Atlanta Braves rotation. Plausible fits such as Chris Bassitt remained available, and even bigger swings like Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen were at least conceivable options. Ultimately, none will be wearing a Braves uniform, and the search for rotation help continues as spring training games draw near.
The injury to Spencer Schwellenbach has only amplified concerns surrounding the Atlanta Braves rotation, leaving the organization with limited avenues to pursue meaningful upgrades. On the open market, options such as Lucas Giolito and Zack Littell may not generate significant excitement, but they could offer more practical, short-term solutions as Atlanta searches for stability.
Meaningful trades are increasingly difficult to complete as Opening Day approaches, with few clubs eager to subtract from their major league roster at this stage of the calendar. Starters such as Joe Ryan, Pablo López, and Mitch Keller would represent substantial upgrades, but they are far more likely to surface as coveted targets closer to the trade deadline rather than attainable options in the final weeks before the season.
As things stand, the Atlanta Braves appear backed into a corner. The free-agent market has thinned to complementary options, meaningful trades are difficult to execute this close to Opening Day, and internal answers carry varying degrees of uncertainty. Unless an unexpected opportunity materializes, Atlanta may be forced to proceed with its current group and reassess closer to the deadline — a less-than-ideal position for a club with postseason aspirations.