Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep Scheduled for Elbow Surgery

Bassyonni

Published: February 18, 2026 3:49 PM ET

Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep Scheduled for Elbow Surgery

Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, both pitchers for the Atlanta Braves, are set to undergo elbow surgeries due to loose bodies in their respective elbows. Manager Walt Weiss announced Schwellenbach’s surgery today, while Waldrep’s procedure is scheduled for Monday.

Details on the Surgeries

Spencer Schwellenbach, who has already been placed on the 60-day injured list, had hinted at the need for an arthroscopic procedure last week. The specifics of his recovery timeline remain unclear. He will be out for at least the first 57 days of the season.

Hurston Waldrep, cleared of structural damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, will follow Schwellenbach’s lead. Waldrep indicated that his loose bodies “probably need to be dealt with,” suggesting he anticipated the need for surgery.

Impact on Team Rotation

With both players sidelined, the Braves’ starting rotation now includes Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, and Grant Holmes. This group holds promise, but each has faced injury concerns in the past.

Chris Sale: Has had only one fully healthy season since 2017 but won the NL Cy Young Award that year.
Spencer Strider: Returned last year from UCL surgery with underwhelming results.
Reynaldo Lopez: Limited to one start in 2025 due to shoulder surgery.
Grant Holmes: Rehabbing from a UCL tear sustained last summer.

Potential Alternatives for the Braves

Despite the current injuries within the rotation, the Braves have downplayed the idea of acquiring external pitching help. Previously reported interest in players like Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito seems overstated. The organization may be nearing its budgetary limit due to ownership constraints.