The Atlanta Braves have officially made a move — and not exactly one out of ambition, but desperation.
On Sunday, the team acquired veteran starter Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals, filling an urgent rotation need after Grant Holmes was moved to the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. For Braves fans already watching the season slip into irrelevance, this latest transaction feels like yet another grim chapter in a year full of them.
Fedde’s Arrival Is About Filling Braves’ Holes
This isn’t a move that vaults Atlanta back into contention. Fedde, who had a resurgence in 2024, has reverted to old habits in 2025. His ERA sits north of 5.00, and both his FIP and xFIP are equally ugly, suggesting this isn’t just bad luck—it’s bad pitching. The Cardinals had seen enough, recently designating him for assignment and making him available for practically nothing.
But in Atlanta, Fedde’s presence isn’t about upside—it’s about survival. The Braves have burned through their starting rotation, and with Holmes now sidelined for what could very well be the rest of the season, they simply needed someone who could take the ball every five days.
Grant Holmes’ Injury Just Got Worse
The true gut punch in this transaction is the update on Grant Holmes. Less than 24 hours ago, it was “elbow tightness” and a hopeful evaluation timeline. Now, he’s out for a minimum of 60 days, which all but ends his 2025 season. It also signals that the Braves’ medical staff saw enough in their early diagnosis to rule out a short-term recovery window.
That’s a brutal loss. Holmes had carved out a key role with 111 innings of reliable work this season and looked like a foundational piece going forward. His sudden shutdown adds even more uncertainty to a rotation that’s already lost Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Spencer Schwellenbach, and A.J. Smith-Shawver to injury.
What’s Left of Atlanta’s Rotation?
As of today, the Braves are leaning on Spencer Strider, Joey Wentz, Bryce Elder, and now Erick Fedde. Behind them? Question marks. Dane Dunning might be asked to stretch out. Young arms like Hurston Waldrep could get rushed up. Ian Anderson could be activated from the shadow realm. But none of this inspires confidence—and that’s the theme of the Braves’ 2025 campaign.
This isn’t about making a run anymore. It’s about protecting what’s left, evaluating who fits in 2026, and limiting further damage in a season where expectations have turned into medical charts and missed opportunities.
Fedde’s debut might not turn heads, but for a battered Braves team, it’s about finding someone who can throw five innings without needing an MRI afterward. That’s where we’re at. And unfortunately, Holmes’ move to the 60-day IL is a painful reminder that it may still get worse before it gets better.
