The Atlanta Braves are searching for any positive injury news when it comes to their starting rotation.\u00a0The group was decimated by injuries in 2025, and unfortunately that trend has continued into the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
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Both young right\u2011handers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep underwent right elbow surgeries during spring training, while former ace Spencer Strider has been sidelined with a left oblique strain.<\/p>\n
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Fortunately for Strider, the injury is not related to his right arm, which has been a concern in recent years, but he\u00a0still has\u00a0yet to make his season debut. When speaking with reporters before a game against the Diamondbacks, manager Walt Weiss offered at least one encouraging update.<\/p>\n
Weiss announced that Strider will throw a bullpen on Friday, after which the team will\u00a0determine\u00a0next\u00a0steps. Strider will need at least one rehab\u00a0start\u00a0before returning to the rotation (h\/t\u00a0MLB.com\u2019s\u00a0Mark Bowman).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n While it is good news that Strider is throwing again, he is clearly not ready and will need time to ramp up even after he returns to the major league roster. As a result, the Braves announced a trade with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, not only to potentially find a short-term\u00a0option\u00a0but also to bolster organizational pitching depth.<\/p>\n \u201cThe #Braves today\u00a0acquired\u00a0RHP Victor Mederos from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for international bonus pool\u00a0money, and\u00a0optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. To make room on the\u00a040-man\u00a0roster, the club transferred RHP AJ Smith\u2011Shawver to the\u00a060-day\u00a0injured list,\u201d the team wrote on X.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n While Mederos is not joining the major league roster\u00a0immediately, it\u00a0remains\u00a0possible he gets a look at some point.\u00a0The 24\u2011year\u2011old has the ability to start, and in his five appearances with the Angels in 2025, three came as a starter.<\/p>\n He struggled last year, posting a 7.41 ERA in 17 innings, but the Braves have a strong\u00a0track record\u00a0of helping pitchers rebound. Regardless, adding another arm with MLB experience is a welcome move for a team stretched thin.<\/p>\n When Strider returns, he will also have something to prove. Coming off Tommy John surgery last year, the 27\u2011year\u2011old posted a career high 4.45 ERA across 23 starts. If he can regain his\u00a0All-Star\u00a0form, it would be a major boost for a Braves team determined to return to the MLB playoffs.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n And with the rotation battered early, even incremental progress from Strider\u00a0represents\u00a0a meaningful step toward stabilizing the staff.<\/p>\n Related: Braves’ Walt Weiss Shares Sean Murphy Injury Update Before Diamondbacks Game<\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Atlanta Braves are searching for any positive injury news when it comes to their starting rotation.\u00a0The group was decimated by injuries in 2025, and unfortunately that… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":172777,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-172769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Braves](\"https:\/\/wp.clutchpoints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Victor-Mederos.jpg?w=1200\")
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