The Atlanta Braves made a surprisingly flashy move in free agency, landing closer Robert Suarez earlier this week. It is a signing that cements the Braves' bullpen in a far better position than the 2025 season, and it is fair to expect more moves to follow. Another aspect of the offseason improvement is that Atlanta's rotation has time to get healthy and put together a group of starters who will be forced to compete for the final role.
With this in mind, let's look at the Braves' projected pen and rotation after the latest signing, while noting that this is sure to change with moves ahead. However, for the time being, it is clear how the rotation is going to shake out, starting with the team's veteran ace.
Projected Braves Starting Rotation for 2026
1. Chris Sale, LHP
There isn't any mystery here as to why the 2024 CY Young award winner is going to sit atop the rotation yet again to start the 2026 season. The lefty went 7-5 with a 2.58 ERA and closed the season out in fitting fashion. Looking objectively at the remaining options, there isn't a valid argument against Sale being Atlanta's 2026 Opening Day starter.
2. Spencer Strider, RHP
What the Braves will get from Spencer Strider will go a long way toward deciding the fate of the 2026 season. After being one of the league's best pitchers when healthy, the right-hander missed the bulk of the 2024 season only to return the following year with less velocity and issues giving up the long ball. Whether Strider can be the player he was before 2024's injury will decide if this is the league's most dominant rotation.
3. Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP
Spencer Schwellenbach is an absolute gamer in the best sense. Every fifth day you put the starter on the mound, you know the franchise has a great chance to win. Watching the starter adjust to different lineups and find ways to compete suggests that the Braves will have a stalwart for the rotation for many years to come.
4. Hurston Waldrep, RHP
After coming out of the gates incredibly hot, Waldrep cooled in the final weeks of the season. However, the starter still finished with an ERA of 2.88, going 6-1 on the season. There is so much to love about the young right-hander who is still only 23 and will remain under team control until the 2032 season. All of this paints an exciting picture of just how dominating the Atlanta rotation can remain well beyond this season.
5. Grant Holmes, RHP
Holmes currently holds the final spot in the rotation based simply on the fact that the Braves are yet to make a move at the position. It seems very probable that Atlanta explores adding a veteran to this spot and moves Homes back to the pen. However, for the time being, the starter is holding onto the final spot in the Braves' rotation.
Projecting Braves' Bullpen for 2026
6. Raisel Iglesias, RHP: Closer
While Atlanta added depth behind the closer, the job will remain in Raisel Iglesias' hands heading into the 2026 season. The difference this year is greatly improved depth, which will allow the Braves to quickly pivot if any of last season's struggles appear again. For Iglesias, it is a great opportunity and one that will be far better supported with an improved cast.
7. Robert Suarez, RHP: Setup
The blockbuster deal of Atlanta's offseason so far is signing former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez in a setup role. Not only have you added a capable closer when things go awry, but if Iglesias can play at the level expected, all of a sudden, you have one of the league's more dominant duos for the two final frames. It was a winning move for Atlanta, one that suggests the team is once again heading in the right direction.
8. Aaron Bummer, LHP: Middle Relief
Aaron Bummer has appeared in 98 games with the Braves over the last two seasons in a variety of roles. This appears to be the continued path for the left-hander if manager Walt Weiss turns to the reliever both to eat innings and in high-leverage middle-inning situations. While there is less pressure on Bummer than in previous seasons, the veteran continues to be an important factor for Atlanta.
9. Joe Jimenez, RHP: Setup
This was an underrated 2025 loss that many Atlanta fans overlooked heading into the season. A year before, Joe Jimenez had a 2.62 ERA and consistently tallied high-leverage outs, making it obvious that the reliever will step back into a setup role if he can get healthy after missing the entire 2025 season. It seems probable that he will be able to return, considering Jimenez had a full season to recover, as well as the offseason ahead.
10. Dylan Lee, LHP: Middle Relief
Where Dylan Lee will be used depends much on the health of Jimenez and how Iglesias performs. If the closer can hold onto his job and Suarez is the primary 8th inning option, all of a sudden, you have an elite early inning arm to turn to in Lee. The left-hander is one of the few returning pieces that have been reliable and will continue to be an important cog within Atlanta's pen.
11. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP: Middle Relief /Setup
This is where things get a bit less clear and will likely change with further offseason additions ahead. However, for the time being, it makes sense to move Reynaldo Lopez back into the bullpen after missing the bulk of last season with an injury. Putting Lopez in the pen takes some of the pressure and wear-and-tear off an injury-prone player. It also hands the Braves another potential setup option that could also eat more than one inning when needed. No question, moving Lopez back to the pen is the right move.
12. Hayden Harris, LHP: Middle Relief
The last-season emergence of Hayden Harris was one of the underreported stories, with the pitcher quickly ascending through Atlanta's minor league system and debuting. The young reliever pitched 2 2/3 innings and gave up one earned run. This is a spot likely to change if the Braves make another addition, but for now, Harris provides the most interesting upside among Atlanta's final relief options.
13. Joey Wentz, LHP: Long Relief/Emergency Starter
Looking at Atlanta's current long relief or emergency starter options, Joey Wentz and Bryce Elder stand out as the only viable options. The rest of Atlanta's starting arms are either in the rotation or need to be in the minor leagues. Wentz had solid moments last season with Atlanta, but could easily be replaced if the franchise finds a more reliable option for the final bullpen spot.