Braves spring training injury bug wasted no time in biting budding ace

The excitement of the beginning of Atlanta Braves spring training has already been dampened. On the very day pitchers and catchers had their first workout, one notable starting pitcher was absent. Although Spencer Schwellenbach had missed the last half of the season, there was hope that the righty would be rested and healthy for the 2026 season.

Unfortunately, that dream didn't even make it through the first day, with the Braves announcing they had already placed Schwellenbach on the 60-day IL.

Spencer Schwellenbach to begin 2026 on the 60-day IL

Going into spring training, the Braves already had question marks surrounding their rotation, with health concerns surrounding Reynaldo Lopez and Grant Holmes. However, the front half of the rotation, with Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach, as well as Spencer Strider gave the team some strength.

Unfortunately, the team can already cross out Schwellenbach until at least the end of May, as he's dealing with elbow inflammation. On one hand, inflammation is not what ended the young righty's second season in the bigs. On the other, he still suffered an season-ending elbow fracture, and has already undergone one Tommy John surgery.

While the Braves are saying they are hoping the injury is just a result of bone spurs, they already feel like the injury will set the righty back far enough that it warrants a 60-day IL stint. Additionally, it was bone spurs that forced Spencer Strider to undergo a UCL brace surgery in 2024 that wiped out his entire season.

This injury is a huge hit for Atlanta, as the club still have not inked an additional starting pitcher despite being in the market for one the entire offseason. This could mean that Hurston Waldrep begins the season on the active roster, but the depth behind him leaves much to be desired.

If the Braves don't add another starter soon, another injury to the rotation could end the season before it even begins.