The Atlanta Braves are heading into the 2026 season with a serious and rapidly escalating problem—one that could completely reshape their early-season outlook. With ace Spencer Strider suffering an oblique injury just days before Opening Day, the Braves now find themselves dealing with a full-blown pitching crisis.

And at the center of it all is one pressing question: how long can Alex Anthopoulos afford to wait before taking action?

A Rotation in Crisis

Pitching depth is often tested over the course of a long MLB season—but for Atlanta, that test has arrived before the season has even begun. Strider’s injury is not an isolated issue. He now joins a growing list of sidelined arms, including Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Joey Wentz. That’s five starting pitchers on the injured list before the first pitch of the season.

As a result, what was once projected to be one of the Braves’ greatest strengths has quickly become a glaring weakness. The current rotation, led by Chris Sale and Reynaldo López, lacks both reliability and depth. Sale, while still capable of dominance, has a long injury history. López has shown flashes, but recent velocity concerns raise questions. Behind them, options like Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, and José Suárez do not inspire much confidence as a full-time rotation core.

In short, this is not a staff built to contend—at least not in its current form.

Why the Braves Must Act Now

Anthopoulos has built a reputation as one of the most aggressive and creative executives in baseball. From acquiring Matt Olson to pulling off deals for Sean Murphy and even revitalizing the rotation with Sale, he has consistently shown a willingness to make bold moves when the situation demands it.

This is one of those moments.

Waiting for injured pitchers to return is a risky strategy, especially with no clear timelines. Early-season losses count just as much as late-season ones, and falling behind in a competitive National League could prove costly. If the Braves truly view themselves as contenders, standing pat is simply not an option.

Trade Market Options

One realistic and intriguing target is Dean Kremer of the Baltimore Orioles. Despite being a reliable starter who has logged at least 125 innings in each of the past four seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA, Kremer was surprisingly left off Baltimore’s Opening Day roster due to roster depth and scheduling flexibility.

For Atlanta, Kremer represents exactly the type of pitcher they need: dependable, durable, and relatively affordable. He may not be an ace, but he is a clear upgrade over the back-end options currently in the Braves’ rotation. More importantly, he’s attainable—a key factor given how difficult it is to execute major trades this close to Opening Day.

Another name worth monitoring is Luis Severino. While his tenure with the Oakland Athletics has been underwhelming, there are reasons to believe a change of scenery could benefit both sides. Severino has proven he can handle a full workload, logging 160+ innings in each of the past two seasons. His struggles appear to be tied, at least in part, to unfavorable conditions and inconsistency rather than a complete decline in ability.

Given his contract and reported dissatisfaction, he may be available at a relatively low acquisition cost—making him a worthwhile gamble for a Braves team in need of innings.

Then there’s the dream scenario: Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins. While a deal for Ryan would be difficult to pull off, it’s not entirely out of character for Anthopoulos. Ryan is an All-Star caliber pitcher who would immediately transform Atlanta’s rotation.

From Minnesota’s perspective, a rebuild could justify moving a high-value asset like Ryan—especially if they are not in a position to compete. For Atlanta, it would require a significant package, but it could also be the move that salvages their season.

Free Agent Solutions

If trades prove too complicated, the free agent market offers more immediate solutions.

Lucas Giolito stands out as one of the most logical fits. Despite some inconsistency, Giolito remains a durable innings-eater capable of stabilizing a rotation. He threw 145 innings last season and has a track record of handling heavy workloads. For a Braves team desperate for reliability, that alone has immense value.

Another option is Patrick Corbin. While far removed from his peak years, Corbin showed signs of competence in 2025, posting a 4.40 ERA across 155 innings. That level of production may not be exciting, but it is serviceable—and right now, serviceable might be enough.

A more high-risk, high-reward option would be Nestor Cortes. Injuries have limited him recently, but his past performance—including an All-Star season—suggests he still has upside. While he may not be an immediate solution, he could provide valuable depth later in the season.

The Bigger Picture

The Braves are not just dealing with injuries—they are facing a defining moment early in their season. The decisions made in the coming days could have long-term implications, not only for 2026 but for the overall trajectory of the franchise.

Anthopoulos has built a roster capable of competing at the highest level. But even the most talented teams cannot overcome a lack of pitching. Depth matters. Durability matters. And right now, the Braves have neither.

Final Thought

Another injury might be bad luck. Five injuries is a crisis.

The path forward is clear: the Braves must act—and they must act quickly. Whether through trades, free agent signings, or a combination of both, reinforcements are no longer optional. They are essential.

If history is any indication, Anthopoulos won’t sit still for long. The only question is not if he makes a move—but how big that move will be.