ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Pitchers and catchers reported for many major league clubs on Tuesday, and right off the bat, Walt Weiss’s first day as manager of the Atlanta Braves already has him dealing with adversity.
Right-handed starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach will open the regular season on the 60-day injured list, Weiss announced Tuesday. The 25-year-old has not pitched since June 28, when he suffered a small fracture in his right elbow. His return will now be further delayed until late May – and likely longer – due to bone spurs and inflammation in the elbow.
Weiss confirmed that Schwellenbach’s ulnar collateral ligament is not affected.
“I always say, before a season even starts, your pitching depth is going to get tested,” Weiss said. “It’s inevitable, you know. But you’d rather not have it happen right away in February.”
It’s certainly a blow for a right-hander who has displayed great potential in his two years in the majors, especially in 2024 after starting the season in High-A and finishing with a 3.35 ERA in 21 starts with the big-league club. He posted a 3.09 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 17 starts last season before his injury.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (56) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)(Colin Hubbard | AP)
Schwellenbach was progressing well during the winter months and was confident he would make a full recovery, but felt discomfort while throwing a few weeks ago.
“He was doing great,” Weiss said. “He was throwing bullpens, and everything was great. The last bullpen he threw was a week and a half ago or so, and it wasn’t great. That’s when the red flags went off. So we’re hoping for the best. He’s a legitimate top-of-the-rotation type guy. It hurts to lose a guy like that.”
The Braves will also be without catcher Sean Murphy and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to start the season. Murphy is recovering from surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip and is expected to return in May. Kim underwent surgery last month to repair a torn middle finger tendon in his right hand and is also likely to return in May.
What comes next
With Schwellenbach, the Braves — if they don’t make any additions from now until Opening Day — will roll out a rotation like Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López and some combination of Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Hurston Waldrep and Joey Wentz. The team also has southpaw Martin Perez in camp, adding another option to the mix.
Waldrep seems primed for a rotation spot due to his late-season success last year, but Elder, Holmes and Wentz are all options.
Even with those options, the team will likely test the free agency waters once more. Right-hander Justin Verlander reunited with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, leaving right-handers Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito and Max Scherzer among the top remaining free agents still available.
Alex Anthopoulos was already eyeing another starter, and with Schwellenbach sidelined, the probability of this happening has skyrocketed.
“I know Alex has already been [searching],” Weiss said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Alex is on the phone doing whatever he can. Whether anything comes of it, I don’t know. But I know Alex is in relentless pursuit of improving this roster.”
Braves sign Jonah Heim
Schwellenbach was placed on the injured list to make room for catcher Jonah Heim, whom the Braves signed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal.
Heim, 30, is a switch-hitting catcher who has held the starting role for the Texas Rangers since 2022. He played a big role in the Rangers’ 2023 World Series run, in which he hit .258/.317/.438 with 18 home runs and 95 RBIs in 131 games.
Heim also started as the American League’s catcher in the 2023 All-Star Game and won a Gold Glove for his defense. But he has struggled since, recording a combined bWAR of 1.5 in 2024-25.
“I’m excited about it,” Weiss said. “You get a guy with a winning pedigree, switch hitter. We’re neutralizing some platoon situations here with all our switch hitters. We can play the matchup game really well and Jonah adds to that. But I love getting a guy — he was the Rangers’ guy when they won a World Series. That means a lot, that winning pedigree. So it’s a great get for us.”
Heim will likely split duties behind the plate with reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, at least until Murphy returns.
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