Pitchers and catchers are making their way to their respective spring training locations. With that, many pitchers are getting in shape and throwing their first official bullpens at spring training complexes. The Atlanta Braves are a team that had confidence in their starting rotation heading into 2026. But the Braves have just received brutal injury news on Spencer Schwellenbach.
Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Schwellenbach has been placed on the 60-day IL with inflammation in his right elbow. Atlanta is hoping for the best, but the right-hander will miss significant time to begin the season.
This is a very tough injury to deal with, and no doubt will affect the season. But the good news is that it came before spring training starts. That gives Atlanta ample time to find a replacement as they learn more about Schwellenbach’s injury.
Losing Spencer Schwellenbach is a Massive Blow
GettySpencer Schwellenbach will miss significant time in 2026.
Schwellenbach was set to be the No. 3 starter in the rotation. Chris Sale and Spencer Strider were ahead of him, but he is better than many No. 3 starters in MLB.
Last season, the 25-year-old made 17 starts. He threw 110.2 innings, allowed just 89 hits, walked only 18 batters, struck out 108, and finished with a 3.09 ERA. Per Baseball Savant, Schwellenbach averaged 96.7 mph on his fastball and forced hitters to chase out of the zone 34.0% of the time. His chase percentage ranks in the 95th percentile, while his fastball velocity is in the 86th percentile.
Schwellenbach was poised to take another step forward in his third season in the big leagues. He has excellent control, and he keeps hitters off balance. With age playing a factor at the top of the rotation in Atlanta, the Braves were happy to have a younger pitcher showing that type of promise.
Replacing Schwellenbach will not be an easy task. The Braves have a few pitchers they can choose from, but spring training will give them a better idea of who might take his spot in the rotation.
Not Schwellenbach’s First Injury
GettySpencer Schwellenbach missed a large part of 2025 because of an elbow injury.
The concerning part of this injury is that Schwellenbach has previously hurt his elbow. The reason for his only making 17 starts in 2025 was an elbow injury.
The injury in 2025 was a small fracture in his right elbow. The hope for this injury is that it is only bone spurs. That could indicate that the 2025 injury is still affecting the right-hander. Now, bone spurs are still a big deal, but they are easier to come back from than Tommy John surgery.
Regardless of the extent of the injury, the persistence of it is concerning. Elbow injuries for pitchers have plagued the MLB for years now, and Schwellenbach is just the latest victim. Atlanta is hoping he can come back as soon as possible, but they will have to find a way to move forward without him for the time being.
Looking ahead into 2026, the Braves have the talent to compete in the National League East division. However, the loss of Schwellenbach is going to make it much harder.
Braves Dealt Brutal Injury Blow Before Spring Training