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Braves encouraged by the progress of Grant Holmes

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Nov 21, 2025 1:54 PM ET

When it was announced that Grant Holmes would be shut down for the season with a UCL injury, the immediate assumption was that he’d undergo either Tommy John surgery or an InternalBrace procedure — both of which would’ve wiped out his entire 2026 season as well.

Instead, after getting multiple opinions, Holmes opted against surgery and will try to rehab the elbow with hopes of being ready by Opening Day. It’s a bit of a risk because if the elbow doesn’t heal correctly and he ultimately needs an operation, his chances of pitching at all in 2026 or 2027 are slim. However, the early returns on his recovery are positive, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic.

#Braves are "really encouraged" by Grant Holmes' no-surgery rehab from partial UCL tear. So far, no issues at all, it's gone as well or better than they had hoped. Won't know for sure until he ramps things up at spring training, but so far all signs are good.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) November 20, 2025

Given the nature of the injury — and the Braves’ luck with injuries over the last two seasons — Alex Anthopoulos should still be operating as if Holmes and Reynaldo López are going to provide very little next year. If they end up fully healthy and looking like the best versions of themselves, great. But the odds of everything breaking right are slim.

Holmes has been a fantastic story for the Braves. He spent a decade in the minors after being a first-round pick of the Dodgers back in 2014 before finally making his debut last year as a reliever. This season, the Braves moved him full-time into the rotation, and he posted a more than respectable 3.99 ERA over 115 innings before going down with the injury. That level of production would give Atlanta a legitimately strong back end of the rotation if he returns healthy.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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