Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep to undergo elbow surgery - MLB Trade Rumors

The Braves are down two starters.Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep both had elbow surgery.Details are available at MLB Trade Rumors.

Braves righty Spencer Schwellenbach underwent surgery today on a loose body in his right elbow, manager Walter Weiss told team news this morning (link via Mark Bowman of MLB.com).Right-hander Hurston Waldrep, who was also diagnosed with a loose body in his elbow this spring, will undergo similar surgery on Monday.Weiss and the Warriors have not set a formal timetable for the return of any of the young right wingers.Schwellenbach has been placed on the 60-day injured list, and Waldrep is sure to join him whenever Atlanta needs to open up another 40-man roster spot.

Neither revelation is particularly surprising, but both are equally noteworthy.Schwellenbach suggested an arthroscopic procedure was likely last week when he was placed on the 60-day injured list.He said at the time that he wasn't sure what the recovery period for such a procedure would be, and the team did not provide any further details today.Even though he will miss at least the first 57 days of the season — Opening Day IL placement can be reversed by up to three days — Schullenbach can only be considered out indefinitely.

The same is true of Waldrep, whose ulnar ligament structural damage was ruled out during a recent MRI, but a loose body was also found in his elbow.Like Schwellenbach, Waldrep said surgery was likely, but told reporters that the loose body in his elbow "may need to be addressed."

Going into camp, Schwellenbach and Waldrep looked like locks for the rotation spots.Schwellenbach missed time last summer with a broken elbow, but completed what he estimated were five to six bullpen sessions before experiencing soreness at the end of a session two weeks ago.The 2021 second-rounder has been outstanding since making his MLB debut in 2024, posting a combined ERA of 3.23 with a strikeout rate of 25.2% and a walk rate of 4.4% in his first 234 1/3 MLB innings.

Waldrep just debuted last season and wasn’t quite as cemented on the starting staff, but he was the heavy favorite for Atlanta’s fifth starter gig. In 56 1/3 innings last year (nine starts, one relief appearance), the 2023 first-rounder posted a tidy 2.88 ERA with a 24% strikeout rate and 9.6% walk rate. He also posted a 4.42 ERA in 19 Triple-A starts, shaking off a rocky stretch early in the season with a pristine 1.99 ERA over his final seven minor league starts before being promoted.

With Schwellenbach and Waldrep separated for good, the Atlantic rotation consists of Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez and Grant Holmes.It's a talented quartet, but Sale has a long injury history and has only had one full health condition since the end of the 2017 season.He won the NL Cy Young Award in his only (most) healthy year, but the lefty, who turns 37 next month, has been dealing with serious injuries.

Strider, meanwhile, posted pedestrian results and hitting stats during his return from UCL surgery last year.Lopez made just one start in 2025 due to arthroscopic shoulder surgery.Holmes suffered a torn UCL last summer but is rehabbing without surgery and is reportedly in full swing this spring.

All four of the Warriors' regular rotation members have some injury, performance and/or workload issues. Still, the organization underestimated the possibility of bringing in further help from outside the organization. Atlanta Journal-Constitutionнь мэдээлж байсан Крис Басситт (тэрээс хойш Балтимортой гэрээ байгуулсан) болон ЛукасOverstated. There is speculation that President of Baseball Operations Alex AnthopoulosAnthopoulos may just be at or near the budget cap set by ownership, although even if that were true, the team obviously wouldn't disclose that publicly.

The team could add Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, Jose Suarez, prospect Didier Fuentes (who is still only 20 years old) and off-roster veterans Martin Perez, Carlos Carrasco and Eliecer Hernandez.

Well, that's not ideal.

Help some Mets fans have a real Voodoo doll

Only the Philthies would stoop so low

They call him the Mets Mamba.

Your name suits you :)

It could be worse.There is no UCL.

About the game

"Loose Bodies" sounds better than Tommy John!

I also became weak.

For the love of the game

Febrem Pix Guy

I have a yoga teacher, I think of her as Lucy, but everyone calls her skinny.

I guess I saw him around the corner...

fever pitch guy

I think I saw him on deuce eight and forty.

I saw Loose Bodies open for Simple Minds and Talking Heads at the Spectrum in 1987.

Dominique Smith had a 2.35 ERA his senior year of high school.

- Terry McGuirk, maybe

Besides, he is a leftist.

Fever Pitch Guy

Dom Smith retired for the Red Sox, giving up just 2 hits and no runs in 3 games.

At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if Luke Williams earns a spot in the starting rotation

Of course they go out and sign Giolito now, right?

Fever pitch cow

sedon - Signing a guy with major health questions is probably not a good idea for a team that needs a reliable pitcher.

It would literally make more sense.

They don't need a multi-year deal, maybe they could sign Giolito to a 1-year deal to cement her deal.But Littell would be a nice addition.

A boy with a fever

Astros-Kluber was the Red Sox Opening Day starter three years ago...those were the darkest days!

He's the only name I can think of that sounds like Charlie Culberson.

He made the same joke yesterday

Terrible.Terrible.Terrible.Honestly, I don't know what to say.The Braves need one, two or even three starters.I'll just say I hope he gets well soon.

Hope is always the core strategy of AA

Not sure if this is a good thread.

With Bryce Elder still around, there's nothing to worry about.

If it is in 2023 form.

loose bodies, huh… that's clearly Urban Dictionary's job

Horrible to hear

I seriously thought we were going to sign or trade for a starting pitcher in the offseason, we freed up so much money and did nothing.So what are we doing here?

And I'm the biggest AA apologist out there and don't think he deserves to be fired but these past 2 seasons have raised questions about what his plans are.

I completely agree.I get the luxury tax but we don't have enough team.The general consensus is: "You can never advertise too much."

AA: "I think we're good."SMH

He is the smartest guy in any room.He believed in all his starters to recover 100% and look where that got him!!

He was playing 3D chess while everyone else was signing pretty good pitchers to minor league contracts.

Oh my god, where is Ted Turner when we need him the most?He wanted to open that checkbook, stat!

Except when he agreed to sign Maddux only if he had the opportunity to sign both Maddux and Bonds.TED was no fool with his money either.Consider McGuirk's responses to shareholders.

Their plan is to keep new management expenses low to stay in business.

Yes, and we all like "his work" and not baseball.I do?Man, there really is one.

I also defended AA's performance in general and I am also bothered by the situation with the rotation. Anthopoulos said back in October that the rotation was his biggest goal. Now we have two starts less and we haven't brought anyone in yet.If it's TV money, just say it so we can all live up to expectations.

Better TV money microcontroller.

Another starting pitcher has gone down, it doesn't matter if they come back after the All Star break or not.Meanwhile, AA is waiting for the team to offer us an ace for Nacho Alvarez.And wait….

I'm no doctor, but I pasted the information about Schwell's elbow into Perplexity's "loose body," and he spit out a rough return goal of mid-late June.Regardless, we still need another SP, which doesn't really change the planning.Trade it in for one or just put it in the tax.And we did not reset the CBT was not included under last year?

Yes, the luxury tax is zeroed out.This season they pay a lower interest rate for each level up.$244M...$264M...$284M...$304M.Tax penalty: 10%… 30%… 50%… 90%.

It's not good, Bob.

Hi, Zach Littell and/or Lucas Giolito.Load them up to start the season, then if they're all good, unload one at or before the trade deadline.

Currently the Braves need Hawkeye Pierce on their medical staff and trapper John McIntyre to handle all fielding operations.

Fever Pitch Guy

Buzas - What's up with BJ Hunnicutt?

According to the Internet Doctor, the best case scenario is that both are ready to go around the sixty day period, assuming there are no setbacks and nothing more serious is found.

Mft Theo Epstein are victorious

Having the Braves need to step in and give AA the green light to sign 2 SPs to 1-2 year deals.Bassit, Giolito, Scherzer, Littell are all likely to be cheap and short term.

Bassit signed with Baltimore.

The Orioles signed Bassett a week ago

What's wrong with your username?

Fever Pitch Guy

Papers - Bassist signed two T's in Baltimore.

Why didn't the competing teams go out and get Giolito and Littell?It would be crazy not to get at least one.

Quick recovery for both pitchers.It's a shame to lose a talented young arm for the year.

Game for love

When you encounter something that doesn't make sense, check your assumptions and think about what needs to be true for it to make sense.What if I don't think they're a "contending team?"

Or they're gone...

Not wanting to exceed a certain luxury tax level is a question of budgetary choice.That doesn't mean they're broke.It's a matter of public knowledge regarding their finances.

A team dealing with injuries and looking for some consistency should not pursue Lucas Giolito.

Finally.A voice of reason.Littell, all right.Giolito and his elbow, no.

Fever Pitch Guy

Jeff - I think all three of us posted the same thing around the same time.LOL

Fever Pitch Guy

Sal - Gio's health is very questionable, a contender looking for extra pitching should go after him.He's not a guy that can be relied on right now, so he's still available.No one is buying his claim that he is healthy, he has already been caught.

I'm not saying they're all wrong, but at the same time, it's ridiculous to do nothing when you can fix the problem, and probably on the cheap.Even Gio, who completed the pitching program in October, would be a good deal right now.

Strider, Sale, Schwelly, Ritchie, Owen Murphy, Schauver, Waldrep, Reinaldo all have serious injuries like brave... is this happening in Atlanta??

The Nats have no pitching, but what about the bat?SS CJ Abrams would only cost you Briggs McKenzie, Garrett Bowman or Didier Fuentes.🤣

Abrams being SS gives him the grace our world needs right now.Bo is at least not the worst defender in RZ.

I said it was SS, and it was.Nobody said anything about "good SS" 🤣

My guess is Holmes or Lopez next.If sales drop, I'm out.

Come on.You might pull a few hairs, but you're still in. Braves fans don't stop.Scowl, moan, complain and stare at the TV in horror and disbelief, yes.Will you stop?Not us!

Oh, I'll still watch the games and go to the games, but if the sales are low - and I hate talking about it - it's time to wait for the 27th.

It can be bad.At least it's not Tommy john or anything along those lines.As I understand it, it won't be too long before they come back.Maybe in June they can start the renovations and come back at the end of June if all goes well.

Agreed.Good thing it came out now and not later in the season when he could be tempted to go through with it.As a Mets fan, I saw Manae try to elbow through a loose body last year and it wasn't good.

Read something that said Mania didn't need surgery in the offseason to get rid of "loose body.""It's not a problem anymore. It's a thing of the past," he said.interestingHope for his sake -- and Mets fans -- he's fine.

Ha, I read the same.I don't know how I feel about this.I understand that any surgery is big, but I don't know why they didn't get it at the end of the season.I don't know how 'loose bodies' organize themselves.Where did it go?

Lol.Roaming…..?Yeah, he should have fixed it once the season was over.He would be fine now.

I have heard that a good sports psychologist can bring these bodies together as one

A house built by Moseby

"Dr. Freud ... took the letter"

It's starting to look like last year

I really don't understand why anyone doesn't like Giolito.He's 31 years old, and while his 4.17 FIP suggests he got a little lucky in 2025, it's not terrible.While his BB/9 was good, he only allowed 1.1 HR/9 when he discussed your home games at Fenway last year.He has no QO attached and is not a Boras client.

You have to think that news of the injury will push the Braves to sign him.He's not at the top of the rotation, but he can still play quality innings and keep you in the ball game.

What do I know, but he made $19 million last year and had pain in his right elbow the last time he pitched.

Maybe he's holding on to $100 million or something and teams are afraid he's going to be unmatched

After his first seven starts last year, Giolito raised his arm angle from 49 degrees to 53 degrees ... had a 2.51 ERA with a .620 OPS allowed in his first 18 starts.

I have nothing good to say about the management of this team, so out of respect for my good friend Nashville Jeff, I'm walking away from this conversation.

Shoot Buck.You may not like what you say, but it may be deserved.

Schwellenbach had the bone removed.

Maybe Charlie Morton will come back

It's time to bring in some loose bodies.Come in and audition for a rotation spot.It sounded like a broken record.But they were already asleep when the Padres brought in a rehab pitcher, so even though 1-2 gives them a talented prospect, it helps.

It is not even guaranteed that these two will be back this season as they still had problems last year.They may need more surgery.They just need to go down the roster and bring in anyone.

Is Gonsolin ready to play?He hasn't been on the mound in years, do you have to think he's worth getting a defensive midfielder at some point?John Grey?

They should invite Nestor Cortes.He's in good health, right?One bad year doesn't mean he's done

You agreed to one playoff game, no need to explain

I feel the same way about it.He is wanted on the Pirates.All is not lost but can I hear someone say it won't be ready for opening day?

There are no known injuries, let alone anything related to him

A lot of guys, especially lefties and his age, will get a chance to prove they can produce again by chance.

It looks like he has shoulder surgery and won't be available until the All Star break

Learn new things here every day

Gonzalez underwent internal brace/flexor repair surgery in August 2025. He will miss this season.DFA by the Dodgers in November 2025 "due to his extensive elbow injury".TOS surgery ended Gray's season in 2025. An August 23, 2025 MLBTR article by Mark Polishuk suggested Gray could retire.

Am I the only one who expects Ritchie to show he's ready in spring training?

Losing Squellenbach and Waldrep is a bummer, yes, but they're not done for the year.Both will return this season.For me, this gives Richie a chance to add the date to the top list.If he is ready, let him tear it.If Fuentes shows he's ready now, let him rip.Back-to-back NL rookie?!!!

Put Elder in the bullpen and use him for an emergency 6th start

We all know that Sale, Lopez and Holmes will likely spend at least 15 days on the injured list this season.

Sale, Strider, Lopez, Holmes and Ritchie/Fuentes.Let's see what we get!!!Schwellenbach and Waldrep will return in time to begin rotating Sale, Lopez and Holmes on the injured list to keep them healthy for the playoffs.

Let's go Braves!!

I will finally wake up from my slumber.

They may add Elder into the rotation.

I know, but I hope Ritchie or Fuentes force AA's hand and put Elder in the pen

With you at Ritchie.I think Fuentes needs a season in Gwinnett to work on his fastball command and develop his slider, cb and splitter.Sinnard is a dark horse.Maybe I'll get some rotation time.We're probably stuck with Elder, Wentz and Martin Perez.

I agree, but I know Fuentes' clock has already started, so, all things being equal, I think they should go with Fuentes over Richie for that reason alone.

Yes, you are the only one

Brave 25 I love your positivityFingers crossed

The Braves need positive news about his health.Every team can say that, I think the Braves need it more than most.

I'd like to work out a bit of a depth trade with the Red Sox, but I don't know if their needs really match up very well.

Elder returns to All-Star form.

Assuming the recovery goes smoothly and there are no further issues or backlogs, we won't know until June at the earliest.

No ABS in 27

Loose bodies are calcified cartilage and cracked bones of the elbow joint, which somehow make the joint unstable and lead to ligament damage.

Both will probably head to TJ at some point.

AL B a lot

Grant Holmes warms up in the surgery prep room.Lopex.Sale and Strider are well versed in surgical procedures, so don't count them out.

Over/Under on Braves Starting Pitchers for 2026 should start between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

The body disintegrated last year.It's all about Hemet Fells.catch it

Not being willing to carry a reliable 4-4.5 ERA with 160 innings + arm will cost this team as much as it did last year.

Glad to be wrong if the deal goes through or if Littell signs.

The rotation is already hanging in the balance

You trade Hunter Greene and you do it this afternoon

When you call Bartolo

It's a very real possibility that both Carlos Carrasco and Martin Perez enter the Braves' season opener.

No way Carrasco - he's 11-12 on the depth chart (if he's even that high.) Maybe Perez.

Well, I'm available for $100,000.Ugly and all I have in my repertoire is a nasty spitball, as good as the one thrown by the great Gaylord Perry.

Kopech is still out, former starter Lopez is also stretched, and if he's good at hitting he'll be hit when the others return at the deadline.It shouldn't cost more than 3-5m if that's enough.It may be a good option for a few months.

Last year's rotation was warm bodies, this year we're throwing in some loose bodies.Various.( :

Louis, Nellie

The Braves need to call the Red Sox for some of their redundant starters.Might have to break up with Riley.

This is funny.With the Sox needing a 3B bat, you'd think the Braves would trade Riley for an "extra starter".?????Hilarious."…..should get rid of Riley."Think I just laughed at that.

Lindsey Vonn says they will be back on the field in late spring.