Spencer Schwellenbach on the hope of rejoining the Braves in 2026

Of the four Braves pitchers that came into the season rehabbing significant injuries — Spencer Strider, Hurston Waldrep, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Spencer Schwellenbach — Schwellenbach felt like the most unlikely to return in 2026.

A fractured elbow ended his 2025 campaign, and like Waldrep, loose bodies were discovered in the elbow during Spring Training. Both had to go under the knife, but reports suggested Schwellenbach’s injury was considerably more severe. There was serious doubt surrounding his availability for 2026, but recent developments have provided a more optimistic outlook on his timeline to return.

“We were just waiting for the bone to fully heal. Got the green light (in early May) to start going, and just kind of working through the progressions now with throwing at 75 feet,” Schwellenbach said, via Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Everything feels really good and just trying to keep on building from there.”

Schwellenbach began throwing from 60 feet a couple of weeks ago and will now work from 75 feet for a couple of weeks. If everything checks out, the goal is to start throwing bullpens, followed by live hitters, and eventually a rehab assignment. It’s not going to be a quick process, but the goal is to get him back on the mound in 2026.

“Honestly, I spent the last 11 months asking about timelines: ‘Hey, if everything goes well, what’s it gonna look like for me?’ And now I’m just kind of like, ‘Hey, what’s tomorrow look like?'” Schwellenbach said. “I’m trying to be as present as I can, and as long as I can keep stacking good days, then I think we’ll have a good chance to be back this year. That’s the goal.”

If everything goes perfectly — which is a big if — a return around mid-to-late August feels possible. A more likely timeline, given how cautious the Braves will be with him, is early September. Either way, that still provides enough of a runway to make his case for a postseason roster spot.

The Braves rotation hasn’t been an issue through the first two months — it’s been among the best in baseball. But questions remain about how this group would match up against an elite offense come October. After Chris Sale, there are no proven frontline arms.

At his best, Schwellenbach is one of the better pitchers in the National League, posting a 3.09 ERA and 3.25 FIP over 17 starts before going down with injury last season.

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Photo: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire