Atlanta Braves
PITCHER HEALTH
Preseason 2026 injury analysis, durability risk profiles, and return timelines for the Atlanta Braves pitching rotation.
Cross-check active roster status with official club announcements.
ROTATION OUTLOOK
Atlanta's staff is high-risk with Strider and Lopez sidelined by surgeries, while the rotation depth is further thinned by injuries to Waldrep, Holmes, and Schwellenbach.
KEY PITCHERS
Spencer Strider
SP • #1 Starter
Injury History
InternalBrace procedure (UCL), April 2024. Targeting early 2026 return. Elite velocity pre-injury. Previously had TJ in 2019.
Durability Risk Profile
Strider is recovering from his second major elbow procedure. While the InternalBrace targets a faster return, his 100+ mph mechanics carry extreme recurring risk.
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Reynaldo López
SP • #2 Starter
Injury History
Shoulder surgery, August 2025. 60-Day IL. Out for first half of 2026.
Durability Risk Profile
Shoulder surgeries for high-usage starters are high-risk for velocity loss. focus is on second-half stability.
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Hurston Waldrep
SP • #3 Starter
Injury History
Arthroscopic elbow surgery (bone spurs) (02/23/26). Projected Injured List. No timetable for return.
Durability Risk Profile
Late-spring surgery removes a key depth piece. While arthroscopic cleanups are common, his availability for the first half is gone.
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Grant Holmes
SP • #4 Starter
Injury History
Elbow inflammation (07/26/25). Projected Opening Day roster. Questionable for Opening Day.
Durability Risk Profile
Ongoing inflammation concerns for a pitcher transitioning to a starter workload. Reliability is moderate until he proves durability in April.
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Danny Young
RP • #5 Starter
Injury History
Tommy John surgery (May '25). Projected Injured List. No timetable for return.
Durability Risk Profile
Young is deep in rehab. His 2026 contribution is unlikely before the final months of the season.
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AJ Smith-Shawver
SP • #6 Starter
Injury History
Tommy John surgery (06/09/25). Projected Injured List. No timetable for return.
Durability Risk Profile
Major blow to prospect depth. Focus is on 2027 recovery following UCL reconstruction.
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Joe Jiménez
RP • #7 Starter
Injury History
Arthroscopic knee surgery (Oct '25). 60-Day IL. Questionable for 2026 season.
Durability Risk Profile
Knee surgeries for high-leverage relievers can affect the landing leg stability. focus is on second-half bullpen contribution.
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Spencer Schwellenbach
SP • #8 Starter
Injury History
Arthroscopic elbow surgery (bone spurs) (02/18/26). 60-Day IL. No timetable for return.
Durability Risk Profile
Late-spring surgery removes a key depth piece. Focus is on velocity recovery in mid-to-late 2026.
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Chris Sale
LHP • #9 Starter
Injury History
Rib cage injury, 2025. Age 37. Chronic IL history (elbow, shoulder, wrist).
Durability Risk Profile
Extreme risk profile despite ace potential. Fragile veteran status makes every start a durability concern.
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