Neither revelation is particularly surprising, but both are equally noteworthy. Schwellenbach suggested an arthroscopic procedure was likely last week when he was placed on the 60-day injured list. He said at the time that he was unsure what the recovery period would be for such a procedure, and the team provided no further details today. Aside from the fact that he will miss at least the first 57 days of the season — his Opening Day IL seeding could be set back three days — Schwellenbach can simply be considered out indefinitely.
It will be the same story for Waldrep, who was cleared of structural damage to his ulnar collateral ligament in a recent MRI but was also found to have loose bodies in his elbow. As with Schwellenbach, Waldrep suggested surgery was likely when he told reporters that the loose bodies in his elbow “probably need to be addressed.”
Heading into camp, Schwellenbach and Waldrep looked like locks for rotation spots. Schwellenbach missed time last summer with an elbow fracture, but by his own estimate had completed five to six bullpen sessions before feeling pain at the end of a session a little more than two weeks ago. The 2021 second-rounder has been brilliant since making his MLB debut in 2024, pitching to a combined ERA of 3.23 with a 25.2% strikeout rate and 4.4% walk rate in his first 234 1/3 MLB innings.
Waldrep only made his debut last season and wasn’t as committed to the starting staff, but he was the heavy favorite for Atlanta’s fifth starting appearance. In 56 1/3 innings last year (nine starts, one relief appearance), the 2023 first-rounder posted a tidy 2.88 ERA with a 24% strikeout rate and a 9.6% walk rate. He also posted a 4.42 ERA in 19 Triple-A starts, shaking off a rocky stretch early in the season with an impeccable 1.99 ERA in his last seven minor league starts before being promoted.
There’s more to come.
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