The Atlanta Braves opened Spring Training with the same injury concerns that plagued them last season. Before camp officially began, the organization placed starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach on the 60-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
It’s a tough break for the 25-year-old righty who showed promise last year.
The team’s hoping they’re dealing with bone spurs rather than something more serious, according to MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams. But that uncertainty leaves Atlanta’s rotation in a precarious spot right out of the gate.
First-year manager Walt Weiss isn’t sugarcoating the situation. When asked about next steps, he made it clear GM Alex Anthopoulos is already working the phones.
“I know Alex has already been [searching],” Weiss said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Alex is on the phone doing whatever he can. Whether anything comes of it, I don’t know. But I know Alex is in relentless pursuit of improving this roster.”
That’s where trade speculation gets interesting. FanSided’s Mark Powell floated the idea of targeting Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller, suggesting a package built around prospects Nacho Alvarez Jr., JR Ritchie, and Eli White.
The logic makes sense on paper. Pittsburgh has starting pitching depth, and they could use help at third base and in the outfield – exactly what that prospect package would provide.
Powell’s reasoning is that Ritchie ranks as a top-100 prospect who could eventually join Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler in Pittsburgh’s future rotation. Meanwhile, Alvarez would fill their third base need, and White brings outfield versatility to a thin position group.
But here’s the thing – giving up Ritchie, one of Atlanta’s best pitching prospects, feels steep for a rental solution. Sure, Keller would immediately upgrade the rotation, especially if Schwellenbach misses significant time. The question is whether mortgaging prospect depth is worth it when the Braves are already thin on pitching.
What makes this situation more concerning is the timing. We’re not even through the first week of Spring Training, and Atlanta’s already scrambling for rotation help. It’s giving off the same vibes as last season, when injuries decimated their pitching staff throughout the year.
The Braves need to make a move – that much seems clear. Whether it’s Keller or someone else, Anthopoulos has to find a way to shore up the rotation before the regular season starts. The alternative is hoping their remaining starters stay healthy, which didn’t work out so well last year.
Expect Atlanta to be aggressive in trade talks over the next few weeks. They can’t afford to start another season behind the eight ball with pitching depth.
