Injuries & Moves: Schwellenbach with Braves in Atlanta
LATEST NEWS
May 28: Braves to promote RHP Spencer Schwellenbach
The Braves are planning to promote their No. 3 prospect to make his MLB debut as Wednesday’s starter against the Nationals. Schwellenbach will arrive straight from Double-A Mississippi, where he’s logged 13 scoreless innings with 17 strikeouts in two starts since his promotion from High-A Rome on May 14.
Atlanta's second-round pick out of Nebraska in the 2021 MLB Draft, the 23-year-old Schwellenbach didn’t make his pro debut until 2023 due to Tommy John surgery. He is 9-3 with a 2.21 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 110 innings over 24 starts in two seasons in the Minors.
May 27: C Sean Murphy reinstated from IL; OF Ronald Acuña Jr. placed on IL
Sidelined since straining his left oblique on Opening Day, Murphy homered twice in a four-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett before rejoining Atlanta’s starting lineup Monday, batting fifth and starting behind the plate. The Braves were able to weather Murphy’s absence with Travis d’Arnaud and Chadwick Tromp, but they’re greatly anticipating the return of one of the game’s most valuable backstops over the past few years.
The team placed Acuña on the 10-day IL in a corresponding move, a day after he suffered an ACL tear in his left knee that will require season-ending surgery.
May 27: 3B Austin Riley returns to lineup
The Braves never placed Riley on the injured list, so his return didn’t require an additional roster move. Riley has been out since May 12 because of a tight left intercostal muscle. He returned to the Braves' lineup Monday, batting second and starting at the hot corner.
May 27: OF J.P. Martinez recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett; INF Joey Wendle designated for assignment
The Braves are going with Jarred Kelenic (left) and Adam Duvall (right) as their everyday corner outfielders in the wake of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending injury. But they needed to make a minor move for more outfield depth, summoning Martínez for that purpose. Wendle joined Atlanta after being released by the Mets on May 20, but didn’t appear in a game for the Braves.
May 26: OF Ronald Acuña Jr. has ACL tear in left knee
Acuña went down in pain in the first inning of the Braves' 8-1 win over the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park after turning back toward second while faking a steal. The team announced Acuña was diagnosed with a complete tear of the ACL in his left knee that will require surgery, and he will miss the rest of the season.
May 25: RHP Darius Vines optioned; RHP Jimmy Herget recalled
Vines will not be available for a few days after throwing 78 pitches in a three-inning relief stint against the Pirates on Friday. Herget provides the Braves a fresh arm and the capability of throwing multiple innings if necessary. Herget was acquired on May 2 after being designated for assignment by the Angels. He posted a 3.93 ERA in 18 1/3 innings at Triple-A this year.
10-day/15-day IL
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. (ACL tear in left knee)
Expected return: 2025
Acuña Jr. will undergo season-ending surgery in the coming days after suffering an ACL tear in his left knee on May 26 in Pittsburgh. (Last updated: May 27)
RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Early August
Smith-Shawver received some bad news on May 24, when a MRI exam showed he has a Grade 2 left oblique strain. He felt some discomfort during the third inning of Atlanta's May 23 game against the Cubs. But he didn't tell the team's medical staff until after he was removed after 4 1/3 scoreless innings. There was no indication of an injury or ailment when he was removed. The 21-year-old hurler is the Braves' No. 1 prospect. (Last updated: May 24)
LHP Tyler Matzek (left elbow soreness)
Expected return: TBD
Matzek posted a 9.90 ERA and produced some concerning hard-hit metrics over 11 appearances. The Braves are hoping he is just going through one of the phases that often follows Tommy John surgery. He'll be given at least a couple weeks to rest his arm. (Last updated: May 7)
RHP Spencer Strider (right ulnar collateral ligament)
Expected return: 2025
After visiting Dr. Keith Meister on April 8, Strider underwent internal brace surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on April 12 and will miss the rest of the 2024 season. (Last updated: April 13)
60-day IL
LHP Angel Perdomo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Perdomo was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 4. He is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last fall and will miss the entire 2024 season. (Last updated: May 4)