The Atlanta Braves continue to grapple with challenges in their starting pitching rotation, but their depth has helped them manage so far. The latest setback is AJ Smith-Shawver, who left Thursday’s game due to an elbow “pop,” as described by manager Brian Snitker. Smith-Shawver was immediately placed on the injured list with an issue in his right elbow and sent back to Atlanta for further examination. Snitker noted that the situation “doesn’t look good.”
The Braves’ rotation relies heavily on its depth to navigate through these injuries, at least for now. Last season’s All-Star Reinaldo Lopez is recovering from shoulder surgery and is being reassessed around the All-Star break. Spencer Strider returned from Tommy John surgery earlier this season but was sidelined again by a hamstring injury after just one start. Now, Smith-Shawver’s injury adds to the team’s worries.
Additionally, 2024 Cy Young winner Chris Sale had a tough start to the season before improving, while Spencer Schwenbach began impressively with three strong starts but has since struggled, posting a 4.66 ERA after giving up six runs over two outings. Strider has yet to fully regain his pre-injury form.
Despite these challenges, the Braves have managed not to falter. Going into Philadelphia for a doubleheader on Thursday, their rotation ranked 14th in Major League Baseball with a 3.78 ERA. Grant Holmes deserves some praise here—making his MLB debut at 28 last year, Holmes didn’t seem destined to become a regular starter in 2025, but he’s started 10 games this season, holding a respectable 3.68 ERA (111 ERA+). His ability to provide reliable innings has been key during tough stretches.
Smith-Shawver had been an important factor in supporting the rotation amid Strider’s and Lopez’s absences, posting a 2.33 ERA over his first seven starts while the Braves went 5-2. Veteran pitcher Elder Blythe has also contributed quality outings after a rough start, pitching to a 3.10 ERA in his last five starts with the Braves winning three of those games. Initially called up when Strider returned, Blythe has been able to hold a spot in the rotation alongside Smith-Shawver.
Strider remains a top-tier ace when healthy, finishing fourth in the 2023 NL Cy Young voting. Though he walked four batters in his last outing against the Phillies, he only allowed one hit across seven innings, showing signs of recovery. Sale and Schwenbach have also been improving as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, the Braves have the potential to catch fire if their offense and bullpen perform well behind the rotations of Strider, Schwenbach, Holmes, and Elder. This depth is critical, especially as they hope to weather key injuries to Lopez and Smith-Shawver. In a competitive NL East, where the Phillies and Mets started the season strongly, the Braves will need all the help they can get. Having already clawed back 10.5 games and standing at +115 odds to make the playoffs (according to DraftKings), they still have plenty to fight for.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for baseball fans as it highlights how injuries can impact even top teams like the Braves and showcases the importance of depth in the pitching staff. How well the Braves manage these setbacks could shape the race in the NL East and influence playoff dynamics this season.
