Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker poured cold water on any hopes of the rotation returning to health on Wednesday. The veteran manager made it clear that none of the Reynaldo Lopez, Chris Sale, or Spencer Schwellenbach were anywhere close to a rehab start.
This doesn't come as a surprise with Atlanta's current standings. It makes little sense to rush players back when winning simply doesn't matter. Grant Holmes is obviously out for an extended period as well after being put on the 60-day IL. AJ Smith-Shawver has undergone surgery and is lost for the remainder of this season and likely a portion of 2026 as well.
All of this paints an especially bleak picture of where the Braves are this season.
By the way, Snitker said that all of the #Braves’ rehabbing pitchers, including Sale, are still far from even starting rehab assignments.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 30, 2025
(I ‘m not expecting any to pitch before September, if at all in this lost season. Unless, say, Sale insists on making a start or two.)
The Braves Rotation Continues to Struggle to Fill Innings
It no longer matters when or if your Opening Day rotation is able to return. Only Spencer Strider remains active among players expected to fill innings for Atlanta. Erick Fedde and Carlos Carrasco have been recent additions in an effort to eat innings. Both veterans are in the middle of miserable seasons and will look to rebuild any level of value with the Braves.
With all of this in mind, it is time for the Braves to admit defeat and put all of the rotation on the shelf for the rest of the season. There is zero reason to risk a serious injury for players you need to build around in the 2026 offseason. Yes, it isn't going to be an easy sell to your stars, but it is the right decision and allows you a level of comfort of going into next season completely healthy.
The Braves have the pitching staff needed to return to the postseason. Atlanta simply needs an aggressive offseason to improve the lineup and rebuild the bullpen. All of the building blocks are there to put together a postseason team if ownership will simply allow the front office the needed budget to build a contender.
Leading to the obvious point that the Braves must continue to build for next season, protecting the rotation and leaving the trio of starters on the injured list for the rest of the season. There simply isn't a reason to risk a return.