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The Atlanta Braves<\/span><\/span> are heading into the 2026 MLB season<\/strong> dealing with a long list of injuries, continuing a troubling trend that has hurt the team over the past two years. After injuries disrupted their 2024 playoff run<\/strong> and contributed to them missing the postseason in 2025, Atlanta is once again starting the season with several key players sidelined.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a breakdown of the Braves players expected to begin 2026 on the injured list and their projected return timelines.<\/p>\n Injury:<\/strong> Right hip labral tear (surgery) Murphy underwent hip surgery in September 2025<\/strong>. Early expectations suggested he might be ready for Opening Day, but his recovery timeline has pushed that return back.<\/p>\n The good news is that Murphy has resumed light baseball activities<\/strong>, and there have been no reported setbacks<\/strong>. If rehab continues smoothly, the Braves could get their starting catcher back sometime in early May<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Injury:<\/strong> Right elbow inflammation \/ clean-up surgery Waldrep looked like a strong candidate to crack the Opening Day rotation after a promising 2025 season. However, elbow soreness revealed loose bodies in his elbow<\/strong>, requiring surgery.<\/p>\n Fortunately, the procedure did not involve structural damage<\/strong>, which is encouraging for his long-term outlook. Still, the Braves likely won\u2019t see him again until June or later<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Injury:<\/strong> Right elbow inflammation \/ bone spur removal This injury is one of the most concerning for Atlanta.<\/p>\n Schwellenbach had already missed time last season with a broken elbow<\/strong>, and just as he appeared ready for a comeback, inflammation caused by bone spurs forced him to undergo surgery again.<\/p>\n While a mid-season return<\/strong> is possible, the Braves may take a cautious approach. In a worst-case scenario, he could miss most or all of the 2026 season<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Injury:<\/strong> Torn ACL Wentz suffered a devastating ACL tear during spring training<\/strong> in March. The injury immediately ruled him out for the entire 2026 season.<\/p>\n Atlanta had hoped Wentz could help provide rotation depth<\/strong>, but his absence leaves the pitching staff even thinner.<\/p>\n Injury:<\/strong> Tommy John surgery Smith-Shawver was emerging as one of the Braves\u2019 most exciting young pitchers before tearing his elbow ligament in June 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Because Tommy John surgery<\/strong> typically requires 12\u201318 months of recovery<\/strong>, the Braves may hold him out until 2027<\/strong> rather than rush him back late this season.<\/p>\n Injury:<\/strong> Torn tendon in right middle finger Kim\u2019s injury came in an unusual way. After re-signing with Atlanta to stabilize the shortstop position, he slipped on ice at home in South Korea<\/strong> and tore a tendon in his finger.<\/p>\n While the accident could have been worse, the injury still required surgery. Current projections suggest he could return in early May<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Injury:<\/strong> Left knee cartilage issues \/ surgery Jim\u00e9nez missed all of last season<\/strong> because of serious knee cartilage problems. Even after surgery, his future remains uncertain.<\/p>\n There is no firm timetable<\/strong> for his return, and it\u2019s possible he may not pitch at all in 2026.<\/p>\n Injury:<\/strong> Tommy John surgery Young underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2025<\/strong> while with the New York Mets<\/span><\/span> before signing a split contract with Atlanta.<\/p>\n If his rehab goes smoothly, the Braves could see him return to the bullpen late in the 2026 season<\/strong>.<\/p>\n After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Braves need a rebound season. However, beginning the year with multiple pitchers and key starters unavailable<\/strong> makes that task more difficult.<\/p>\n The biggest concern is pitching depth<\/strong>. With several starters injured and others recovering from surgery, Atlanta could be forced to rely heavily on young arms and depth options<\/strong> early in the year.<\/p>\n If players like Murphy and Kim return quickly<\/strong> and the pitching staff stabilizes by mid-season, the Braves could still recover and compete.<\/p>\n But if injuries continue to pile up, the team\u2019s postseason hopes could once again be in serious jeopardy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Atlanta Braves are heading into the 2026 MLB season dealing with a long list of injuries, continuing a troubling trend that has hurt the team over… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":163118,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-163111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nCatcher<\/h2>\n
Sean Murphy<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Expected Return:<\/strong> May 2026<\/p>\n
\nStarting Pitchers<\/h2>\n
![\"Braves](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1XwWFX.img?w=768&h=512&m=4&q=89\")
Hurston Waldrep<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Expected Return:<\/strong> Early Summer 2026<\/p>\n
\nSpencer Schwellenbach<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Expected Return:<\/strong> Summer 2026 (uncertain)<\/p>\n
\nJoey Wentz<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Expected Return:<\/strong> 2027<\/p>\n
\nAJ Smith-Shawver<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Expected Return:<\/strong> Late 2026 or 2027<\/p>\n
\nInfield<\/h2>\n
![\"Braves](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1LYomW.img?w=768&h=512&m=6&x=465&y=69&s=93&d=93\")
Ha-Seong Kim<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Expected Return:<\/strong> Early May 2026<\/p>\n
\nRelief Pitchers<\/h2>\n
Joe Jim\u00e9nez<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Expected Return:<\/strong> Uncertain (possibly late 2026)<\/p>\n
\nDanny Young<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Expected Return:<\/strong> Late 2026<\/p>\n
\nWhy 2026 Is a Crucial Season for the Braves<\/h2>\n