Schwellenbach returned from Florida to continue his progression, where he ramped up in throwing bullpens.
With the trade deadline days away, the Atlanta Braves have continued to focus their attention on improving their starting pitching.
However, one reinforcement within the organization may be on the way soon. The Braves received some good news on the progression of Spencer Schwellenbach’s injury, as he is working towards returning to the team.
Schwellenbach is back from ramping up in Florida, where he had been working his way from throwing off a mound. He is now throwing bullpens in front of the Braves coaching staff.
The right-hander had thrown four bullpen sessions in Florida and will now look to progress with assistance from the big league team. He is now throwing bullpens in front of the Braves coaching staff.
The 26-year-old may be cleared to face hitters in the next week or two, but still faces multiple steps to getting to that next level.
Braves manager Walt Weiss said he has been impressed with how Schwellenbach has looked and is pleased with his progress. He also noted that his doctor reports have also been positive.
Before Schwellenbach underwent surgery in February, he was not able to hit the 90 mph mark in his throwing sessions. This time around, he said that his velocity has been returning.
Schwellenbach said pitching in game situations and facing hitters will be an uptick and a test, as he looks to also begin mixing in the rest of his pitch repertoire.
The anticipation is that Schwellenbach will need around three more bullpens before he takes on a live bullpen session. He had arrived in Florida to throw bullpens during the All-Star break.
Ever since his call-up to the Braves in May 2024, Schwellenbach has proven to be a consistent starter in Atlanta’s rotation. In his only two seasons, he has combined to own a 3.23 ERA in 234 ⅓ innings pitched, while tossing 235 strikeouts. He made 21 starts in 2024 and 17 in 2025.
The Braves have been in need of adding reinforcements to their starting rotation. Chris Sale has continued to be their anchor, but the rest of the supporting cast has been in flux.
Bryce Elder has experienced a big drop off after a slow start, while Reynaldo López just recently started ramping up to be a starter again. Martín Pérez and Grant Holmes have turned out to be decent surprises, but maybe not arms they’d hope to rely on in the postseason.
Atlanta is hoping for Schwellenbach, who has been sidelined all season with a right arm injury, to return to the rotation in September, with just enough time to ramp up before the postseason.
