On the offensive side of the ball, the Atlanta Braves look much healthier these days. Not only did they finally get Ronald Acuña Jr. back from his hamstring issues, but Ha-Seong Kim is back (for better or worse), and Sean Murphy recently returned from his latest IL stint due to a broken finger. For a team that has struggled with depth issues all season, getting everyone back has been a welcome change.
Unfortunately, the pitching staff has not been as lucky, as several key arms are still on the shelf. While there haven't been any substantive updates lately about star reliever Robert Suarez beyond "he still isn't throwing yet", Braves manager Walt Weiss did provide some actual information on some of the Braves' hurt rotation arms.
Spencer Schwellenbach still has a chance to return this season, but time is running out
There was a lot of confusion fairly recently over whether or not Spencer Schwellenbach had a chance to return this season. Given that his elbow procedure was a bit more involved, as they had to remove foreign bodies as well as remove a bone spur, Weiss had not previously heard that Schwellenbach was throwing, raising questions as to how it would even be feasible for Schwellenbach to progress quickly enough to return by the end of the regular season.
We know a bit more these days. Schwellenbach did begin his throwing program after all and had been throwing some bullpens that seem to have gone well. However, Weiss revealed on Monday that Schwellenbach still has not faced live hitters, and when that actually occurs will determine how likely it will be that he comes back this season. There also seems to have been some discussion as to whether Schwelly will initially come back as a starter or as a reliever.
Spencer Schwellenbach began his throwing program in June and he is still here in Atlanta today. He still hasn’t faced live hitters. So, the probability of him making a start during the regular season is fading. The Braves won’t decide whether it’s best to use him as a starter or… https://t.co/U7ZKhJ6WbE
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 10, 2026
Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep to begin throwing programs this week, but Waldrep's status sounds spooky
If Schwellenbach is a coin flip to come back this season or close to it, the odds that Spencer Strider and/or Hurston Waldrep come back in 2026 are significantly less than that. We knew that they hadn't been throwing yet, and there was no indication previously that they were particularly close to throwing again.
However, Weiss revealed that both pitchers are set to begin their throwing programs this week, which at least opens the door to the possibility of returning this season if things go well. Of note, Braves beat writer Mark Bowman mentioned that Waldrep saw multiple doctors to discuss his elbow (presumably because there was some sort of concern) recently. They ultimately concluded that throwing again was still a wise course of action. Make of that what you will.
Walt Weiss says he can’t count on Spencer Strider or Hurston Waldrep pitching again this year. But both will at least start a throwing program this week. This is at least encouraging regarding the possibility of them being available next season. Waldrep got multiple opinions…
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 10, 2026
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