Latest injury updates on three Braves injured starters

Four members of the Braves’ Opening Day rotation are out for the season, and at least three of them enter the offseason with serious questions surrounding their roles in 2026.

The lone exception is Spencer Schwellenbach. When healthy, he has already proven to be one of the best young arms in baseball, and even after suffering a fractured elbow, his spot in the 2026 rotation feels secure. Another pitcher with a fairly defined outlook is AJ Smith-Shawver, though his situation is far less encouraging. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May, it’s highly unlikely he takes the mound at all next season.

The futures of Reynaldo López and Grant Holmes are far murkier. Both were converted relievers who thrived as starters early on, particularly López, who was an All-Star last year. But the heavy workload clearly took its toll, and they each struggled with fatigue-related injuries.

López is recovering from a shoulder injury that limited him to just one start this season. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery, he says he’s pain-free for the first time in years and is already in North Port, hoping to throw live batting practice before the end of the season. Grant Holmes, meanwhile, is attempting to rehab a UCL injury rather than undergo surgery — a gamble that, if it fails, would likely sideline him for all of 2026 as well.