The Atlanta Braves received a mixed collection of injury updates as they prepared for an important series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with several pitchers still facing uncertain timelines as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Manager Walt Weiss provided updates on multiple injured arms, including reliever Robert Suarez, veteran Joe Jiménez and starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep. While some developments offered encouragement, the overall picture highlighted just how little time remains for Atlanta to get its injured pitchers back on the mound.
Robert Suarez could soon take another step
One of the most significant updates involved Robert Suarez, whose potential return could provide Atlanta with a major boost in the bullpen.
Weiss said Suarez has not yet resumed throwing from a mound, but the reliever could soon progress to bullpen sessions. That would represent an important step in his recovery and potentially put him on a path toward returning before the season ends.
Atlanta signed Suarez to a $45 million contract during the offseason, expecting him to become an important late-inning option. He had delivered strong performances before suffering his injury in June, making his eventual return particularly important as the Braves navigate the postseason race.
With September approaching, the Braves could desperately use another reliable high-leverage arm. If Suarez is able to progress without setbacks, his return could strengthen a bullpen that will likely face increased pressure during the final weeks of the regular season.
Joe Jiménez provides encouraging development
There was also positive news surrounding Joe Jiménez, although Atlanta is remaining cautious about the possibility of seeing him pitch this season.
Jiménez completed his fifth bullpen session Monday and described it as the best he has felt during his rehabilitation. Considering the right-hander has undergone multiple knee surgeries, that represents an encouraging development in his recovery.
However, Weiss appeared to temper expectations regarding a 2026 comeback. The Braves manager pointed out that Jiménez has been away from competitive pitching for an extended period, making a return to Major League action before the season concludes difficult to predict.
For now, the focus appears to be on Jiménez continuing to build strength and getting comfortable on the mound rather than rushing him back simply because the Braves are approaching the postseason.
Rotation remains a major concern
The news was less encouraging when it came to Atlanta’s injured starting pitchers.
Weiss said there were no significant updates on Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach or Hurston Waldrep. With the calendar quickly moving toward September, the lack of progress leaves the Braves with increasingly limited time to get any of those pitchers back into the rotation.
All three would represent meaningful reinforcements if healthy, but Atlanta cannot afford to plan its postseason rotation around uncertain returns. The Braves will instead have to prepare for the possibility that their injured starters may not be available when the games become most important.
Chris Sale remains an expected top option, while Tyler Mahle has recently provided Atlanta with another important source of stability. The Braves could therefore be forced to rely heavily on their current healthy starters while waiting to see whether any of their injured arms can make a late-season comeback.
Atlanta running out of time
The timing of these injuries is becoming increasingly important. With September approaching and the postseason race tightening, every day without progress reduces the window available for injured pitchers to return, rebuild their stamina and regain their effectiveness.
Among the injured arms, Suarez may now be the most realistic potential reinforcement for Atlanta’s immediate needs. A successful transition into bullpen sessions would be a major milestone and could give the Braves hope of adding an experienced late-inning weapon for the stretch run.
Jiménez’s progress is also encouraging, but his lengthy absence makes a 2026 return far less certain. Meanwhile, the lack of substantial updates on Strider, Schwellenbach and Waldrep leaves Atlanta facing the possibility of entering the postseason without several pitchers who were expected to play important roles.
The Braves will continue monitoring each recovery, but the message from the latest updates is clear: time is becoming the biggest obstacle. Atlanta still has postseason ambitions, and getting even one or two injured pitchers back could make a major difference, but the club can no longer afford to wait indefinitely for reinforcements.
For now, Suarez’s next step toward throwing bullpen sessions may be the most important development to watch as the Braves attempt to strengthen their pitching staff for the final push of the season.
Leave a Reply