The Atlanta Braves are preparing to start the upcoming season without two of their young pitchers, Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, as both deal with elbow issues. Manager Welt Weiss confirmed that the right-handers are currently sidelined but expressed optimism that each could return to the mound at some point this year.
Specific medical details and timelines for Schwellenbach and Waldrep have not been disclosed, but the use of the term “elbow issues” suggests that the organization is proceeding with caution. Elbow concerns are taken seriously across Major League Baseball, particularly for young pitchers who are still early in their professional development. The Braves appear intent on prioritizing the long-term health of both players rather than rushing them back for the start of the regular season.
Schwellenbach and Waldrep are considered part of the franchise’s pitching future, and their absence to begin the year will influence how Atlanta manages its staff in spring training and beyond. Without firm return dates, the club is expected to lean more heavily on its established starters and organizational depth options. This could create additional opportunities for other arms in camp to compete for innings and roles at the major league level.
Weiss’s comments indicate that, despite the setback, the Braves do not view either pitcher’s season as lost. The hope is that with rest, evaluation, and whatever treatment team medical personnel deem appropriate, Schwellenbach and Waldrep will be able to contribute at some stage during the campaign. Until more information is released, the team and its fans will be left to wait for updates on their recovery progress.
For now, Atlanta enters the season mindful of managing workloads and maintaining flexibility on its pitching staff. The organization’s handling of Schwellenbach and Waldrep underscores how critical pitcher health is over the course of a long MLB season, and how important the duo remains to the Braves’ longer-term plans, even as they open the year on the sidelines.
