Good news out of Atlanta Braves camp: Spencer Schwellenbach is back with a ball in his hand. The 24-year-old righty was spotted playing catch in the outfield Wednesday, easing into flat-ground work for the first time since his season was derailed in late June with a fractured elbow. Manager Brian Snitker didn’t call it long toss just yet, but it’s a step forward — and one that matters more for 2026 than it does for this year.
No 2025 Return, But a Smoother Offseason Ahead
Don’t get your hopes up about seeing Schwellenbach in a big-league game before October. Snitker made it clear the timeline is about building back strength, not rushing into competition. The goal is to get him to the point of throwing live BP before the regular season ends. If he can check that box, it sets him up for a normal offseason instead of one spent in rehab mode.
That’s a huge difference. It means when he reports to North Port, Fla., for Spring Training, he’ll be healthy, conditioned, and ready to pick up where he left off — instead of answering questions about setbacks or shutdowns.
A Promising Season Cut Short
Before the elbow fracture, Schwellenbach looked like a future rotation anchor. In 17 starts, he logged a 3.09 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts across 110 2/3 innings. His fastball was trending up, too, touching 99.4 mph in his last outing. That extra velocity may have been more than his body was ready for — but it also hinted at the ceiling he’s working toward.
If he comes back healthy in 2025 with that kind of heat and command? The Braves could have yet another homegrown weapon in their rotation.
Braves Rotation Jigsaw
Atlanta has patched things together impressively despite an injury list that looks more like a novel. Chris Sale is on the comeback trail, lined up for a third rehab start this weekend. Reynaldo López looks doubtful for any action this season, and both Grant Holmes and AJ Smith-Shawver are out for the year, with their 2025 status still up in the air.
The silver lining? Joey Wentz and Hurston Waldrep have emerged as legit rotation candidates moving forward, while Spencer Strider has stabilized after some bumps.
So no, Schwellenbach won’t be part of Atlanta’s playoff push this year. But his slow, steady return is still a win for the organization. A healthy winter means he enters 2026 ready to compete, not rehab.
