An uncomfortable amount of time passed between updates on Robert Suarez, but Atlanta Braves fans finally got the good news they have been waiting for on Wednesday night. Beat writer Mark Bowman reported that Suarez will resume throwing on Thursday, and if all goes well, there is still hope he can return before the end of the regular season.
Suarez was absolutely dominant at the beginning of the year, posting a 0.56 ERA, 2.42 FIP, and 1.7 bWAR in the 32 innings pitched before his injury. Adding someone with Suarez's high-octane stuff before postseason play would be a huge development for Atlanta, and frankly one they need to happen.
Sadly, not all the news on Wednesday was good news, as the latest Spencer Schwellenbach update did not provide the same optimism for Braves Country. It was reported by Bowman that Schwellenbach is still feeling discomfort when he throws in his bullpen sessions. Because of this sad news, Schwellenbach has not yet been cleared to throw to live hitters, and hopes of a 2026 return are hanging on by the smallest of threads.
Robert Suarez will resume throwing tomorrow. He’s been sidelined since late June. So, he’ll need time to build up before being cleared to throw off a mound and then face live hitters. Still hope he returns at some point this year. The hope is he’s rested long enough to at least…
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 12, 2026
Robert Suarez cleared to throw, but Spencer Schwellenbach still feeling discomfort
With Suarez tied to the Braves for two seasons beyond 2026, getting a promising update on his arm injury is a huge relief. Any major arm injury to Suarez would quickly make that contract one of Alex Anthopoulos' most questionable free agent deals. Thankfully, we are trending away from any major injury, and now the Braves just have to ramp Suarez back up to a level where he can be of service by October.
As for Schwellenbach, the feeling now is that 2026 is a long shot at best. Any bullpen discomfort this late in the season is the biggest red flag, and soon attention may turn toward getting him to progress toward a pitch in the spring of 2027 goal. Thankfully, Tyler Mahle has been a very solid deadline acquisition thus far. With Schwellenbach doubtful to return, the Braves need Mahle to become a trusted playoff-caliber starter.
These key updates are making Atlanta's postseason formula much clearer. The Braves will need to score runs in October and lean on a stacked bullpen to make up for the lack of firepower within the projected postseason rotation.
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