Grant Holmes is down to his last chance to stick in the Braves' rotation

Defined roles on a pitching staff are generally reserved for established talents in the game. The Atlanta Braves have that in pitchers such as Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and Raisel Iglesias. For the 2026 season, the rest of Atlanta’s pitching staff will likely work itself out during the spring, as results and Anthopoulos' transactions dictate the direction Walt Weiss and his staff will go.

Grant Holmes will be one of the most intriguing arms to monitor in February, as his role is as uncertain as that of any pitcher on Atlanta’s 40-man roster. Holmes finished the 2025 season on the injured list, but reports indicate he has recovered well from his UCL injury. If Holmes is truly ready to go by spring training, it may represent his last chance to stick in the starting rotation.

Grant Holmes may end up in the Braves' bullpen, but the rotation isn't out of the question

Many fans were skeptical that Holmes could recover from his partial UCL tear without undergoing surgery last August. As it turns out, Holmes rehabbed the injury very well, and Atlanta’s pitching staff will be the beneficiary of that progress. How beneficial it ultimately proves to be remains a mystery, as Holmes has the upside of a solid middle-of-the-rotation piece, but he will need to show more in 2026 to earn a spot.

As things stand, Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and Spencer Schwellenbach are the only locks for Atlanta’s 2026 rotation. Furthermore, Alex Anthopoulos has been very open about his desire to add another starting pitcher to that mix. Whether another starter is added or not, Holmes will have to battle Reynaldo López, Hurston Waldrep, JR Ritchie, and Bryce Elder for the remaining rotation spot.

Holmes tossed 115 innings last season and posted a 3.99 ERA with a 4.40 FIP. He showcased upside with an 80th-percentile whiff rate, but his 11% walk rate is difficult to work around if he is to remain a pitcher worth keeping in the rotation.

When you consider these concerns with Holmes, plus the fact that Lopez is set to make $14 million keeping Holmes in the rotation seems like a challenge. This is why he may transition to the bullpen before the end of the season. The Braves' bullpen has both depth and talent, but the addition of Holmes could really turn this unit into a strength.

Regardless, the expectation is that Holmes will enter spring training competing directly with all of these pitchers for a rotation spot. Ultimately, whether he sticks in Atlanta’s starting rotation in 2026 will come down to his performance on the mound, as consistent results will be the deciding factor in how the Braves shape their pitching staff moving forward.