Braves Not Counting on Schwellenbach for Rotation
Atlanta is not planning on Spencer Schwellenbach to open the season in the starting rotation after elbow surgery.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Baseball
The Braves are not counting on Spencer Schwellenbach to begin the season in the rotation, though they have not ruled him out. The 26-year-old underwent surgery to place a screw in his previously fractured elbow after battling elbow pain throughout 2026.
Why it matters
The surgery follows a period of rehab from 2025 surgery and ongoing elbow pain, and it leaves Atlanta's rotation planning uncertain. Few pitchers have returned from this procedure, adding to doubts about his long-term future.
Schwellenbach is 26 years old and has dealt with elbow pain throughout 2026 after a 2025 surgery. The extraction does not include pitching statistics or a timetable for his return.
The players
Spencer Schwellenbach
Spencer Schwellenbach is a 26-year-old pitcher for the Atlanta Braves whose elbow surgery has clouded his immediate and long-term role with the club.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Atlanta that is managing Schwellenbach's recovery and rotation planning.
The details
Schwellenbach's elbow was surgically fitted with a screw to address a previously fractured elbow. The Braves have not ruled out his pitching for them, but he is not expected to open the season in the rotation.
Timeline
2025: Schwellenbach underwent surgery while rehabbing his elbow.
2026: Schwellenbach battled elbow pain throughout the year.
November 9, 2026: The Braves reported they are not counting on him for the rotation.
Season Trajectory
Few pitchers have returned to the mound after this type of elbow screw procedure, which makes Schwellenbach's path back to the Braves rotation a long-shot scenario. His status will shape Atlanta's pitching depth as the season approaches.
Fantasy managers and Braves fans should not count on Schwellenbach for early-season innings. Atlanta's rotation depth will determine how the club handles his absence.
The takeaway
A pitcher's comeback from elbow surgery is rarely guaranteed, so teams and fans should plan for extended absences. Watch for updates from the Braves on Schwellenbach's recovery timeline.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage for the latest on Atlanta's pitching staff.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Sports.
