Ahead of the Braves' important series against the Dodgers, manager Walt Weiss gave the media a litany of injury updates. Some received better news than others, but one thing is clear: time is ticking for each injured player to get back before the season is finished.
Perhaps the most important update we got on Tuesday surrounded the status of setup man Robert Suarez. Weiss told reporters that Suarez has yet to throw off a mound, but indicated that Suarez could progress to throwing bullpens soon. The $45 million arm Atlanta signed this offseason was dominant until his unfortunate injury in June, so getting him back would be a huge boost to say the least.
Elsewhere in the Atlanta bullpen, a forgotten man threw his fifth bullpen on Monday and got some refreshingly good news off the back of it. Joe Jimènez is the pitcher in question here, and the burly right-hander said Monday's bullpen was the best he's felt yet.
After multiple knee surgeries, it's good to hear Jiménez in good spirits. However, Atlanta's manager downplayed the notion of Jiménez making a 2026 return, mentioning how long it's been since Jiménez last pitched.
Walt Weiss says today that Robert Suarez is “still moving slowly” and is “close” to throwing bullpen sessions, and the next step from there will indeed be a rehab assignment
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) August 25, 2026
Braves get somber injury updates on Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, and Hurston Waldrep
The Braves did not get promising news on their crop of injured starting pitchers on Tuesday. Walt Weiss told reporters that there were no substantial updates on Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, or Hurston Waldrep, and as of now, time is the biggest factor working against each of their returns this season.
Because of that, any hopes of slotting one of these talented arms into a postseason rotation seem to be all but dead. Instead, the Braves will have to piece together outs after presumed game one and two starters, Chris Sale and a red-hot Tyler Mahle.
As the calendar approaches September, the Braves are hopeful to get some much needed reinforcements in the pitching department. Unfortunately, after todays updates it seems those hopes may hinge on Robert Suarez alone.
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