Braves Urged to Sign Frankie Montas or Lucas Giolito Amid Mounting Rotation Injuries

The Atlanta Braves entered the 2026 MLB season with high expectations, but early injuries to key pitchers have already created concern around the team’s starting rotation depth. As a result, analysts are now urging the front office to explore the free-agent market—specifically targeting experienced arms like Frankie Montas and Lucas Giolito.

With the season still in its early stages, the Braves are facing a critical decision: trust their current depth or make a strategic move to reinforce the rotation before issues escalate.

Braves Rotation Hit by Early Injury Setbacks

Atlanta’s pitching concerns stem from multiple injuries that have already impacted their depth chart.

• Hurston Waldrep is currently on the 15-day injured list after undergoing a procedure to remove loose bodies from his throwing elbow
• Spencer Schwellenbach has been placed on the 60-day IL with elbow discomfort

These setbacks have forced the Braves to rely more heavily on their remaining starters, placing additional pressure on the rotation early in the season.

For a team with postseason aspirations, this is far from an ideal scenario.

Heavy Reliance on Chris Sale and Limited Depth

At the top of the rotation, Chris Sale continues to anchor the staff. However, beyond him, questions remain about consistency and durability.

Even with Spencer Strider expected to return in the coming weeks, there are concerns about whether the current group can sustain success over a full season.

Pitching depth is critical in today’s MLB, where injuries and workload management often determine a team’s long-term success. Without reinforcements, Atlanta risks overextending its available arms.

Why the Braves Are Being Linked to Frankie Montas

Among the available free agents, Frankie Montas is viewed as a potential “low-risk, high-reward” option.

What Montas Brings:

• Veteran experience across multiple teams
• Proven ability to perform at a high level when healthy
• Potential upside at a relatively lower cost

However, Montas comes with significant risk. He has struggled with injuries in recent years, including a UCL tear that limited his time with the New York Mets.

Despite that, his profile aligns with the Braves’ typical approach under Alex Anthopoulos—targeting undervalued players who could outperform expectations.

Lucas Giolito: High Upside, Higher Cost

The other name frequently mentioned is Lucas Giolito, a former All-Star who most recently pitched for the Boston Red Sox.

Giolito’s 2025 Season:

• 3.41 ERA
• 121 strikeouts
• 26 starts

On paper, Giolito appears to be the more reliable option compared to Montas. However, there are two key obstacles:

1. Contract Expectations – Giolito is likely seeking a larger deal, which may not align with Atlanta’s current payroll strategy
2. Recent Inconsistency – While effective in 2025, his performance has fluctuated in prior seasons

For the Braves, signing Giolito would represent a more aggressive—and expensive—move.

Do These Moves Actually Solve the Problem?

The big question is whether adding Montas or Giolito would truly address Atlanta’s pitching concerns.

Pros:

• Immediate depth boost
• Veteran presence in the rotation
• Insurance against further injuries

Cons:

• Both pitchers carry injury histories
• Financial commitment (especially with Giolito)
• No guarantee of consistent performance

In essence, the Braves would be trading one form of risk (lack of depth) for another (injury-prone additions).

Braves’ Front Office Philosophy

Under Alex Anthopoulos, the Braves have built a reputation for calculated, strategic moves rather than splashy signings.

This makes Montas a more likely target than Giolito.

Atlanta has often succeeded by:

• Identifying undervalued talent
• Avoiding long-term financial risk
• Trusting player development

If the front office believes the current rotation can stabilize once players return from injury, they may choose patience over urgency.

Internal Options vs. External Additions

Another factor to consider is the Braves’ internal pipeline.

The organization has several young pitchers who could:

• Step into temporary roles
• Provide innings while injured starters recover
• Gain valuable MLB experience

However, relying solely on internal options can be risky for a team with championship ambitions.

Timing Is Everything

One of the most important elements in this situation is timing.

• Early in the season, teams are often cautious about making major moves
• As the trade deadline approaches, more options may become available
• The Braves may prefer to evaluate their roster further before committing

Signing a free agent now could stabilize the rotation—but waiting could provide better opportunities.

What Happens When Spencer Strider Returns?

The expected return of Spencer Strider adds another layer to the decision-making process.

If Strider returns at full strength:

• The rotation immediately improves
• Pressure on other starters decreases
• The urgency to sign a free agent may lessen

However, relying on a single return to fix depth issues can be risky, especially given the unpredictable nature of pitcher health.

Final Takeaway

The Atlanta Braves are facing an early-season test of their pitching depth, and the idea of signing Frankie Montas or Lucas Giolito reflects a broader concern: can this rotation hold up over a full season?

• Montas offers a cost-effective, high-upside gamble
• Giolito provides a more proven but expensive solution
• Both come with risks that the Braves must carefully weigh

Ultimately, Atlanta’s decision will come down to balancing short-term needs with long-term strategy.

For now, the situation remains fluid. But if injuries persist or performance declines, don’t be surprised if the Braves make a move to reinforce their rotation—because in a competitive league, standing still is rarely an option.