The Atlanta Braves have already been through the wringer this season. The season got off to a terrible start and between injuries to guys like Reynaldo Lopez, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Chris Sale as well as some serious regression in their lineup, it feels like the Braves could actually be cursed in 2025. Unfortunately, the shocking injury to Spencer Schwellenbach that was revealed on Wednesday is just further evidence of that.
Schwellenbach has been one of the consistent bright spots for the Braves since he was called up. Given how his last few starts had gone, it looked like he was rounding his way into being a true frontline starter. Unfortunately, the Braves announced a series of roster moves including activating Jurickson Profar, but it also included word that Schwellenbach has broken his elbow and is headed for the injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 2, 2025
Braves place Spencer Schwellenbach on the injured list with a broken elbow in what might be the last straw
Well, if you were betting on the Braves to turn around their season, you were probably thinking that Schwellenbach was going to be a big part of it. We don't know exactly the severity of Schwellenbach's injury just yet beyond that it is a small break, but breaking your pitching elbow seems pretty bad. The only question now is how low it takes to heal and if it requires surgery. Given the timing, a return this season is anything but certain.
However, the current expectation is that he should be able to return by September. Braves beat writer Mark Bowman revealed that Schwellenbach was diagnosed after his arm was sore after pitching against the Phillies over the weekend. The current plan is to shut him down for a month and see how he is healing after that.
There was some other good news as not only is Profar back from his suspension, but the Braves also activated Daysbel Hernandez from the injured list which is a nice boost to the bullpen. Unfortunately, most of the attention, and rightly so, is on the fact that 80% of the Braves' Opening Day rotation is on the injured list right now. Cross your fingers and toes that Grant Holmes isn't next.