Atlanta’s rotation has had its share of inconsistencies this spring. Spencer Schwellenbach again Hurston Waldrep both hit the injured list before the start of Spring Training, and now they’ve been hit by left tackle losses Joey Wentz until the ACL season is torn. The timelines for Waldrep and Schwellenbach are unclear, but they are expected to miss significant time following surgery to remove loose bodies from their elbows. (Schwellenbach is already on the 60-day IL.) That leaves the Braves with a lot of uncertainty in the rotation. Grant Holmes again Reynaldo Lopez they are coming off injury-plagued 2025 seasons, but will be relied upon in the middle innings and backfield Chris Sale again Spencer Strider.
There is still one turn left open. Wentz was in position to make a play in that spot and had a great spring game: two runs, three hits, four walks, one hit batter, six punchouts in 5 2/3 innings (3.18 ERA). His injury opens up competition for the big team.
The favorite on paper might be the right-hander Bryce Elderwho made 28 starts for the Braves last year. The senior is only 27 years old and was an All-Star back in 2023 thanks in large part to the first half, but in his debut he posted a 5.63 ERA with a below-average 18.4% strikeout rate against an 8.3% walk rate. Metrics like SIERA (4.56) and FIP (4.76) have been kinder, but Elder is approaching 300 innings with an ERA north of 5.50 over the past two and a half calendar years.
The senior’s status as the presumptive favorite is all about tenure, being on the 40-man roster and coming out of minor league costs. He hasn’t pitched a strong offense this spring, turning in a lackluster 6.48 ERA in three starts. That leaves the door wide open for someone else to take the job.
Left hand José Suarez he is also out of minor league options and on the 40-man roster. He has an uneven major league record but stands tall between 61 2/3 minor league innings and 19 1/3 major league frames in Atlanta last winter. He allowed four runs in 6 2/3 spring innings. Suarez pitched the Angels in 207 1/3 innings of 3.86 ERA ball in 2021-22 before posting a 6.91 ERA in 86 innings over two seasons in 2023-24.
The most prominent undrafted veteran in camp is the southpaw Martín Pérez. The lefty allowed just one run in five innings this spring and is coming off a season in which he posted respectable numbers (3.54 ERA, 4.24 FIP) in 56 innings for the White Sox. Flexor and shoulder injuries cut his 2025 season short, and Pérez’s All-Star-caliber career days with the Rangers (2.89 ERA, 3.9 fWAR in 2022) are likely behind him. Still, he has the potential to be a successful starter in the backfield.
Those aren’t the only role options. A veteran Carlos Carrasco is in camp, but after posting a 9.88 ERA in three starts for Atlanta last season and allowing nine runs on 11 hits in 6 1/3 spring innings this year, he seems unlikely to be the top pick. Didier Fuentes he made his MLB debut last year and has thrown four scoreless innings this spring, but he won’t celebrate his 21st birthday until June and might be better served with more time in the minors. Hoping to throw up JR Ritchie enjoyed a strong season in Triple-A last year and has looked good so far this spring (3.38 ERA in eight innings). He is not yet on the 40-man roster.
Another possibility that cannot be completely ruled out is external hearing loss. Lucas Giolito it remains available and seems to be a clear fit – despite the apparent lack of interest on the part of Atlanta so far. Some veterans like it Tyler Anderson again Patrick Corbin stay unsigned, too. Any of these strikers could be added to the mix with the goal of eventually taking their starting five job, but the team may need to trade a player already wanted by another club in order to add someone who will be ready to join the team at the start of the season. A free agent like Giolito will certainly need to find work in extended Spring Training at this point.
How do MLBTR readers think the Braves will make their cycle? Will they give the job to Madala and hope for better results than last year? Will they go with a young prospect like Fuentes or Ritchie, or maybe a veteran like Pérez or Carrasco? Maybe they will avoid all those external add-on options? Vote now in the poll below:
