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Braves lose fifth starting pitcher to the IL

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 10:51 AM ET

Not all of the Braves’ struggles this season can be explained by injuries, but it’s fair to say missing some key arms has really hamstrung the club over the last month or so.

Entering yesterday, the Braves first four starters from Opening Day found themselves on the 60-day IL, and it’s unclear if any of them will return this season. But as if that wasn’t enough, Grant Holmes left Saturday night’s game with elbow tightness and was immediately placed on the IL before undergoing further tests.

Snitker said #Braves' Grant Holmes had elbow tightness and will go on the IL and get checked out. He joins starters Sale, Schwellenbach, López and Smith-Shawver on the IL. What a season for Atlanta. Whew.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 27, 2025

A starting rotation consists of five guys, and now all five members of Atlanta’s Opening Day rotation are on the IL with serious injuries.

Hopefully, Holmes avoids catastrophe; however, elbow discomfort is always a giant red flag, and with the way this season has gone, I’m not sure how anybody could be optimistic. If it is the UCL, that’s a huge gut punch not just for the rest of this year but next year as well, leaving the Braves with another hole to fill in the offseason.

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

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