Braves face uncertain future on the mound

ATLANTA — Just a few months ago, the Atlanta Braves appeared to have one of baseball’s deepest collections of pitching talent.

Now, questions surrounding the health of Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep have created uncertainty about the club’s long-term rotation while making the organization’s top pitching prospects even more valuable.

According to MLB.com Braves beat writer Mark Bowman, Atlanta’s farm system remains one of the strongest in baseball, headlined by Cam Caminiti, the Braves’ No. 1 prospect and the No. 41 overall prospect in MLB Pipeline, and right-hander Eric Hartman, the organization’s No. 2 prospect and No. 74 overall.

Whether those prospects remain in the organization or eventually become trade chips, Bowman believes their value has increased because of lingering concerns surrounding the Braves’ current pitching staff.

Strider has not pitched since leaving a June 12 start against the New York Mets with right elbow inflammation. The Braves announced he would be re-evaluated four weeks later, but have not provided another update. According to Bowman, the expectation around baseball is that Strider is unlikely to return as a starting pitcher this season, raising questions about whether the former ace will eventually return to the rotation or transition into a relief role.

Waldrep’s future also remains uncertain.

The former first-round draft pick underwent surgery during spring training to remove loose bodies from his pitching elbow before returning to throw 29 innings between the minor leagues and the majors. He was shut down again after experiencing right elbow discomfort during a Triple-A start on July 19.

Bowman noted that two elbow issues in such a short period are cause for concern.

The Braves are hopeful Spencer Schwellenbach can provide better news. The right-hander is expected to accelerate his rehabilitation after missing significant time with elbow injuries dating back to last season. A fractured elbow ended his 2025 campaign, and bone spurs delayed his return this spring.

Despite those concerns, Atlanta still has a solid foundation in its major league rotation.

Veteran left-hander Chris Sale is under contract through 2027 with a club option for 2028. Bryce Elder remains under team control through 2029, AJ Smith-Shawver through 2031, Reynaldo López is signed through 2027, and Grant Holmes remains under club control through 2030. Martín Pérez is eligible for free agency after this season.

Bowman believes Sale, Elder and Smith-Shawver are the safest bets to remain key members of Atlanta’s rotation over the next several seasons.

The next wave of pitching talent is also approaching.

Didier Fuentes is expected to transition back into a starting role next season, while JR Ritchie gained valuable experience during seven major league starts this year. Owen Murphy continues to develop after making his major league debut, and teenage prospects Caminiti and Briggs McKenzie are viewed as longer-term rotation candidates.

Another name to watch is Herick Hernandez, who struggled with command after reaching Triple-A but posted an impressive 32.5 percent strikeout rate at Double-A.

Bowman’s assessment is that Atlanta still possesses enough pitching depth to build a strong rotation for years to come. But after injuries have sidelined several of the organization’s most promising arms, projecting exactly what that future will look like has become much more difficult.

As a result, the Braves’ greatest strength — their stockpile of young pitching — may also be their biggest question mark.