Braves Urged to Add Frankie Montas or Former $38.5 Million Red Sox All-Star to Their Roster Amid Injury Concerns
As the Atlanta Braves head into the new season, they find themselves grappling with a series of injuries to key starting pitchers. The injuries have thrown a wrench into the team’s plans for the season, and the need for reinforcements has never been more urgent.
Among the most notable injuries is that of Hurston Waldrep, who has been placed on the 15-day injured list after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his throwing elbow.
Waldrep’s injury is a significant blow to the Braves’ pitching depth, leaving the team with fewer options than they’d anticipated in the early stages of the season.
Meanwhile, Spencer Schwellenbach, another key piece in the Braves’ rotation, is currently on the 60-day injured list due to right elbow discomfort. Schwellenbach’s injury only adds to the growing concerns about the team’s pitching situation.
These injuries are particularly concerning because the Braves had high hopes for both pitchers to contribute significantly to their rotation this year.
Unfortunately, things haven’t gone according to plan for either Waldrep or Schwellenbach, and it seems that the Braves’ rotation will be without them for the foreseeable future.
For manager Walt Weiss and the Braves’ front office, this is a worst-case scenario that they were hoping to avoid.
With key arms sidelined, Atlanta’s pitching staff is now a patchwork of healthy players, and even though Chris Sale has been performing admirably, the team’s depth behind him is lacking.
This has led many to believe that the Braves should seriously consider exploring the free-agent market for additional arms to help shore up their rotation.
In a recent article, Austin Owens of FanSided pointed out that there are still several notable free-agent pitchers available, including former All-Stars Frankie Montas and Lucas Giolito, who could make an impact.
While the Braves’ starting pitchers have been impressive thus far, Owens emphasized that the current level of success is unlikely to be sustainable given the team’s lack of depth in the rotation.
“Spencer Strider is eyeing a return in the coming weeks,” Owens noted, “but even with him back in the rotation, the back end of that staff could use an upgrade.”
This has led many to suggest that the Braves need to act quickly before the situation becomes more dire, especially with such significant injuries affecting the team’s overall depth.
Both Montas and Giolito have their share of baggage, though. Over the past few seasons, both pitchers have battled injuries and inconsistent performance, which raises the question: would adding these injury-prone players to the mix really solve the Braves’ issues?
Lucas Giolito, 31, is coming off a strong season with the Boston Red Sox, where he posted a 3.41 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 26 starts during the 2025 season.
Giolito, however, declined a mutual option with the Red Sox and is now seeking a lucrative contract for the upcoming season. This makes him a potentially expensive addition for the Braves, whose GM Alex Anthopoulos has a reputation for being cautious with spending.
Although Giolito would undoubtedly strengthen the Braves’ rotation, Owens suggests that the Braves are unlikely to meet the kind of financial demand that Giolito is seeking.
On the other hand, Frankie Montas, 33, is another intriguing option for Atlanta.
Montas has a history of being a low-risk, high-reward pitcher, which fits well with the Braves’ approach to free-agent acquisitions.
Having played for four teams since 2022, Montas has had his fair share of struggles, including a UCL tear in his right elbow that sidelined him for much of the 2025 season.
Montas’ injury history may concern some teams, but he’s a player who, when healthy, can contribute meaningfully to a rotation.
After suffering the season-ending injury in August with the New York Mets, Montas made just nine appearances in 2025, which limited his exposure and raised questions about his durability moving forward.
Despite the injury, Montas is still viewed as an intriguing option because he brings potential upside, especially given his track record of success when healthy.
For the Braves, Montas represents an opportunity to take a chance on a talented pitcher with something to prove.
Signing Montas would add a low-risk, potentially high-reward player to their pitching staff, something that could prove beneficial in the long run, especially with the team’s current injury woes.
However, the question remains: should the Braves take a chance on Montas or Giolito?
Adding either player would come with its risks, but it also provides an opportunity to improve a rotation that could quickly fall apart if injuries continue to plague the team.
Braves fans are understandably anxious as they await news of potential signings. The pressure is mounting for the front office to make a move before the season progresses any further.
With Montas and Giolito both available, the Braves have options, but the front office will need to weigh the risks carefully.
Giolito would add a proven, high-quality arm to the rotation, but his price tag could be a deal-breaker for the Braves.
Montas, on the other hand, offers a more affordable option, though his injury history is a major concern.
Whatever the Braves decide, it’s clear that they can’t afford to sit idly by. With key players sidelined and the rotation thin, the time to act is now.
As the team looks to defend its place among the top contenders in the league, the addition of a reliable starter will be critical for their success.
The next few weeks will be crucial for Atlanta as they navigate their injury woes and explore their options in free agency.
Should the Braves add Montas or Giolito to their roster, it could be the move that propels them to the next level. But if they fail to act, the team may find itself in trouble as the season unfolds.
As of now, all eyes are on the Braves’ front office, waiting to see what move they’ll make next. The clock is ticking, and the future of their season may very well depend on their decision in the coming weeks.
