Last season the injury bug played a major role in the struggles of Atlanta on the album. Although that excuse is not there for the line -up here in 2025, it is certainly for the Atlanta Braves when it comes to their pitching staff. Reynaldo López only took a few innings before his injury was the start of what would be a cursed season for the start rotation of Atlanta. Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver and López have not only been injured, they were injured in the long term.
Until tonight Grant Holmes was the last to stand from the rotation of the opening day. Unless the Braves get really good news in the future, it is likely that Holmes will make it 5-out-5 when it comes to the rotation of Atlanta on the shelf. Before he was hit with a lining during the fourth inning of tonight’s loss against the Rangers, Grant Holmes reportedly complained about elbow density and goes to Atlanta for an MRI. Atlanta Braves -manager Brian Snitker shared the news during the postgame press conference tonight.
Grant Holmes complained about elbow pain on the field for the line drive that hit him in the 4th. It will be placed on the IL with elbow plots and will be evaluated further.
– Wiley Ballard (@wileyballard_) July 27, 2025
Assuming that the “further evaluation” (aka is an MRI) as we all sort out, this will be a heavy blow to the Braves to take when it comes to their pitching staff. What makes it even worse is that the earliest that one of these pitchers will probably return, at a certain moment is next month, because Chris Sale is on his way for a return to the hill in August. As soon as he returns, he (hopefully) will form a 1-2 punch with Spencer Strider and that 1-2 punch will have to do the heavy work for a few weeks until their fellow starters return.
As far as Holmes is concerned, this is a heavy blow to him, while he did not set the world on fire, he had clearly settled in this rotation. If this is as bad now as it was driven, then Holmes will have a long way of recovery to cross before he can make his return. It is a huge pity for Holmes and I am not really jealous of Atlanta’s front office at the moment, because they have to find a way to keep the rotation up, while almost the entire start rotation is on the shelf. What a season, all of you.
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