The Atlanta Braves are being urged by many reports, insiders, and analysts to bring in another starting pitcher before the 2026 regular season. After the nightmare 2025 season featured several frontline starters going down with injury, the bug seems to be following Atlanta into spring camp.
With Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep both dealing with elbow injuries, the need for another arm is even stronger, but there are few options available in MLB free agency. One option is Lucas Giolito, who some believe the Braves might be linked to, but a recent report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Gabe Burns refutes that rumor.
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Braves Reportedly Not Engaged in Lucas Giolito Free Agency
The majority of starting pitchers across MLB have already signed with an organization, but Lucas Giolito seems to still be testing the waters of who his next team will be.
Despite initial reports that the Braves might be linked to Lucas Giolito, a new report by the AJC’s Gabe Burns indicates “the Braves have not been involved in Giolito’s market.”
Burns also notes that the Braves did not pursue Chris Bassitt, who was also thought to be on the team’s radar.
While the Braves still remain comfortable with their internal options, the lack of aggression this free agency period is a bit concerning, given the injury history of some of their starters and the 2025 disaster.
GettyLucas Giolito pitches during a game with the Boston Red Sox.
Some of the Braves’ other internal options include: Reynaldo Lopez, Joey Wentz, Martin Perez, and Bryce Elder.
Chris Sale will continue to be the team’s ace, but with Schwellenbach being sidelined, Grant Holmes and Spencer Strider will have to fill those shoes. It’s starting to look more and more likely that Bryce Elder will make the Braves Opening Day roster and be the team’s fifth starter, if healthy.
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Where Do the Braves Go From Here?
With the new report that the Braves are not engaged in Lucas Giolito’s free agency, where do they go from here in terms of adding an arm?
Atlanta could try to pull off a trade for a starter, but that would cost either prospects or pieces of its roster right now.
MLB Opening Day is a little over a month away, so the Braves still have time to add another starter in some capacity, but time is running out. Atlanta could also consider bringing in a tenured starter on a minor league deal to help with depth.
If the Braves are already dealing with injuries in the rotation before spring training exhibition games even begin, there’s no telling what injuries might pop up when real games get started.
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