Atlanta Braves Suffer Setback As Pitcher Hits Injury List Before Opening Day

Atlanta Braves (Image Credits: Imagn)

Atlanta Braves Suffer Setback As Pitcher Hits Injury List Before Opening Day

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 2:29 PM ET

Despite the undoubted pedigree, reliability from the starting rotation has been the biggest issue for the Atlanta Braves over the past couple of years. They lost both aces, Chris Sale and Spencer Strider, for the playoffs in 2024. On the other hand, injuries to their main starters were arguably the biggest reason behind the Braves’ missing the postseason last year.

Injuries continue to hamper the Atlanta Braves for the 2026 campaign. They got another major scare to their starting rotation options on Sunday. Joey Wentz limped off the field after hurting his knee while running to first base in the spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Thankfully for the Atlanta Braves, the left-hander seemingly escaped without any major harm.

“Joey Wentz injured his right leg while covering first base. He was carted off the field, but he walked in the clubhouse under his own power. Initial diagnosis is promising. He’s day-to-day for now,” Mark Bowman of MLB.com posted on X.

Joey Wentz injured his right leg while covering first base. He was carted off the field, but he walked in the clubhouse under his own power. Initial diagnosis is promising. He’s day-to-day for now.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 8, 2026

Wentz twisted his right knee as he ran to get out after collecting the ball on a bunt in the fifth inning of the game. The Braves pitcher was carted off through the outfield fence but managed to walk to the clubhouse without any assistance.

Atlanta Braves Expect Joey Wentz To Avoid Serious Injury

Joey Wentz (Image Credits: Imagn)

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported that the Atlanta Braves will disclose further details about the injury to Joey Wentz on Monday following further examination. Nevertheless, from all the tests conducted thus far, there is no indication of any lasting damage to his right knee.

“The Braves will continue to evaluate Wentz and provide an official update on Monday. But tests performed by the team’s training staff in the clubhouse created hope that the pitcher didn’t tear his anterior cruciate ligament or suffer a different significant injury,” Bowman wrote on Sunday.

Joey Wentz's right leg will continue to be examined and the Braves will give an update tomorrow. But initial tests indicate he may have avoided a serious injury.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 8, 2026

Wentz is in line to get a spot on the Braves’ rotation for Opening Day due to multiple injuries to their starting pitchers. Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep will both miss the opening couple of months after undergoing surgeries earlier this year. Meanwhile, A.J. Smith-Shaver is out for the entire 2026 campaign.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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