Spencer Schwellenbach has begun throwing a baseball again as he continues his recovery from a fractured right elbow. The Atlanta Braves right-hander was seen throwing catch in the outfield on Wednesday afternoon, marking a significant step in his rehabilitation process. Manager Brian Snitker described this activity as flat ground throwing, not quite reaching the level of long toss yet.
No Immediate Return to Game Action Planned This Season
Despite his progress, Schwellenbach is not expected to pitch in a live game before the season ends. Snitker expressed hope that Schwellenbach will be able to throw live batting practice before the regular season concludes, a milestone that would allow for a more conventional offseason preparation. This would be a positive development compared to finishing the season still unable to throw.
Out Since Late June with Elbow Injury
Schwellenbach has been sidelined since late June due to a fractured pitching elbow. After initially landing on the 15-day injured list, he was moved to the 60-day list as recovery took longer than expected. Early hopes that he might return by September were quickly dashed, and it has become clear he will not be ready to pitch again this year.
Strong Performance Before Injury
Before his injury, Schwellenbach showcased solid numbers in 17 starts, posting a 3.09 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP while striking out 108 batters across 110 2/3 innings. In his final outing, he displayed increased velocity on his fastball, reaching nearly 100 mph, with Baseball Savant recording a peak speed of 99.4 mph. However, the added force may have contributed to his injury, and it remains uncertain if his body will be prepared for such intensity next season.
Rotational Outlook for the Braves
The Braves are expecting only one pitcher to come off the 60-day injured list this season, with Chris Sale scheduled for a third rehab start on Saturday at Double-A Columbus. Other injured starters, including Grant Holmes and AJ Smith-Shawver, have been ruled out for the remainder of the year, casting doubt on their availability in 2024. Reynaldo López is also unlikely to return before season’s end.
Emerging Pitchers and Rotation Stability
Despite these setbacks, Atlanta has managed to build a competitive rotation. Joey Wentz and Hurston Waldrep have shown strong performances and are contenders for rotation spots next season. Spencer Strider, who has faced some challenges during the campaign, is expected to continue as a regular starter, fulfilling expectations for his return to the rotation.