Well, so much for getting through 2026 mostly healthy. The Atlanta Braves couldn’t get through the opening days of spring training before losing multiple key players. If you truly look inward, the writing was already on the wall that Joe Jimenez’s knee was going to be a problem in 2026. However, between the word that Jimenez may not pitch for the Braves at all this year, combined with the surprise bombshell that Spencer Schwellenbach needs elbow surgery, it has not been a banner start to the season when it comes to the injury report.

However, with injuries to some guys come opportunities for others. Someone is going to have to cover innings in the early portions of the season, and there are a few arms in camp that may have just seen the odds that they are on the Braves’ Opening Day roster get a big boost.

Here are the Braves players in camp whose roster odds just got a big boost after a rough wave of injury news

It is still very early in camp and, if history is any indication, the Braves are probably going to have more injury/health issues before the start of the season, which would expand this list quite a bit. That said, these are the players in camp that the Braves may give first crack at these recently vacated roster spots.

JR Ritchie

Of all the prospects the Braves brought into spring training, JR Ritchie had the best odds of breaking camp with the team, and that was before Schwellenbach got hurt. He has the combination of stuff, track record, and prospect pedigree to instantly be in the conversation for any opening in the rotation. It isn’t a given Ritchie makes it now, but the path is significantly easier than it was.

Hurston Waldrep

Before Schwellenbach’s injury, it sure looked like there was a chance that Waldrep would get screwed and start the season in the minors because of minor league option considerations and the lack of them with other candidates. However, Schwellenbach being out should allow for some more roster flexibility in Atlanta’s decision-making. Given what Waldrep did last year, penciling him into an Opening Day roster spot seems like a smart bet to make.

James Karinchak

Relievers are tricky because they are so volatile, and the Braves tend to bring a lot of experienced arms into camp so they can get a look at them. Atlanta also already had an alignment in their bullpen from Jimenez’s previous absence, so how much the latest update changes things is a fair question. However, assuming there are bullpen spots for the taking, James Karinchak is a name to watch. Notoriously wild, Karinchak is also not that far removed from being one of the more exciting relievers in baseball. If he is back in form, Karinchak could power his way into a job.

Jhancarlos Lara

On the prospect side, the Braves don’t really have any can’t miss options that could seize the opportunity that Jimenez’s injury issues are providing. However, assuming that the Braves are finally willing to move him to the bullpen full-time, Jhancarlos Lara has the type of stuff that could really play up in short stints. He doesn’t throw enough strikes to stick as a starter anyways and adding another power arm to the Braves’ bullpen would do a lot of good to keep disrupting hitters’ timing. He does have to at least show he can throw three strikes before throwing four balls, though.