Braves lose two pitchers to season-ending elbow surgeries

The Braves announced that pitchers Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach will undergo season-ending surgeries. Waldrep will have Tommy John surgery, while Schwellenbach will have a procedure on his previously fractured right elbow. Both had been expected to help the rotation during the stretch run.

Waldrep's setback follows a February procedure to remove loose bodies in his elbow, which delayed his season debut until late June. Across three major league appearances, he surrendered ten earned runs in 10 2/3 innings before landing on the Triple-A injured list in July. His recovery timeline now extends into 2028.

Schwellenbach's rehab centered in North Port, Florida, where he completed four bullpen sessions before returning to Truist Park for evaluation. A recent flare-up in the same elbow that fractured in 2025 prompted the decision. The Braves' rotation remains stable with a 3.58 starter ERA, anchored by Chris Sale, while Reynaldo López nears return from knee inflammation.