Atlanta Braves News

EAST

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Spencer Strider's MRI Exam Rules Out Ligament Damage in his Elbow

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider's (elbow) MRI exam did not show any ligament damage, just inflammation, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It's excellent news for a pitcher who made only two starts in 2024 and eventually needed an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. There aren't any current concerns that Strider will need another elbow surgery. The 27-year-old's visit on Monday with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed his surgery in 2024, was just to indicate what Strider's next steps will be. By Tuesday, Bowman says that we will have a better idea of when Strider could resume throwing. There was definitely some concern that Strider would need another season-ending elbow injury after his velocity plummeted and he was pulled from his start early on June 12 against the New York Mets. He is on the 15-day injured list and most likely won't rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation before the mid-July All-Star break, but he will return this season. Fantasy managers need to hang onto the former fourth-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson University. Strider has gone 4-2 this year with an elevated 5.31 ERA (5.36 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP, but his 27.9% strikeout rate gives hope for fantasy managers.

5 hours ago

Didier Fuentes • RP • Braves

Didier Fuentes Worth Adding Ahead of Potential Role Increase?

Atlanta Braves right-hander Didier Fuentes has been pitching well out of the bullpen for the Braves of late. In May, he posted a 1.32 ERA over 12 games (13 2/3 innings), and so far in June, over five games (5 1/3 innings), he has a 0.00 ERA and six strikeouts. He has not allowed a run since his outing in Cincinnati on May 31, and before that, it was May 6 against the Mariners. He is primarily being used as the seventh-inning guy behind closer Raisel Iglesias and setup man Robert Suarez. Because of that, although Fuentes was able to convert on a recent save on June 7, there are no signs that Iglesias or Suarez are in jeopardy of losing their job, as they've both been spectacular on the season, meaning Fuentes is going to remain in a position where his only value is leagues that reward holds (SVH). For leagues that do not, he is not worth rostering; however, for leagues that do, you could make a case for Fuentes, as he has been extremely sharp out of the bullpen, and his ratios have been phenomenal.

7 hours ago

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Braves Place Spencer Strider on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation

The Atlanta Braves announced on Saturday that they placed right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with right-elbow inflammation and recalled right-hander Anthony Molina from the minors in a corresponding move. Strider was pulled from his outing on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets after his velocity took a dip. The Braves initially called it arm soreness. The Braves and fantasy managers have to be a bit worried after the 27-year-old only made two starts in 2024 before needing an internal-brace surgery on his right elbow. In his eight starts in 2026, Strider has gone 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA (5.37 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks in 39 innings pitched. At the very least, Strider will miss a couple turns through the rotation, but this could end up being a much lengthier absence, depending on the results of his testing. If Strider has a serious injury, the Braves could turn to young right-hander Hurston Waldrep.

2 days ago

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Spencer Strider Leaves Early on Friday With Arm Soreness

The Atlanta Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider (arm) left his start early on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets with a trainer due to right-arm soreness. Strider allowed seven earned runs on six hits (three home runs) while walking one and striking out three in just three innings for his second loss of the season in the 7-5 defeat at the hands of the Mets at Citi Field. The 27-year-old's velocity was down, leading to the Braves' training staff coming out to check on Strider before he was pulled from the game. The severity of his injury is unclear right now, but we should have more information on Strider on Saturday morning, so fantasy managers will want to check back them to see if this is something that could land him on the 15-day injured list. Keep in mind that Strider had an internal-brace procedure that limited him to two starts in 2024. He came into Friday's contest with a 4-1 record and 4.00 ERA, but his ugly outing against New York pushed his season ERA up to 5.31. If Strider's latest arm injury is serious, youngster Hurston Waldrep could be next in line to join Atlanta's starting rotation.

2 days ago

Hurston Waldrep • SP • Braves

Hurston Waldrep Activated and Optioned to Triple-A

The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they reinstated right-hander Hurston Waldrep (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep isn't ready to rejoin the major-league roster after rehabbing from elbow surgery in the offseason. The 24-year-old former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings in his third minor-league rehab start with Double-A Columbus. Waldrep should be an option for the Braves' starting rotation sooner rather than later in 2026 after he went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 22 walks in 56 1/3 innings pitched across 10 appearances (nine starts) last year before being shut down with his elbow injury. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should be considering whether to stash Waldrep right now as a potential difference-maker in the second half of the season. Right now, he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Drake Baldwin • C • Braves

Drake Baldwin Set to Begin Rehab Assignment on Saturday

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. Baldwin has been on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain since May 19, but he appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. The 25-year-old got off to an excellent start to the 2026 season before the injury, hitting .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and one stolen base across 216 plate appearances. Baldwin's underlying metrics support his emergence, as he logged elite barrel (18.6%) and hard-hit (53.8%) rates. Atlanta also showed a willingness to use Baldwin as its designated hitter on days when he needed a break from being behind the plate, which keeps his bat in the lineup every day and allows him to maximize plate appearances for fantasy managers. Upon his return, Baldwin profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher across all league formats.

3 days ago

Martín Pérez • SP • Braves

Martin Perez a Worthy Deep-League Option

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martin Perez was supposed to take the mound against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. That game was postponed due to weather. Instead, Perez is expected to take the mound for the series opener against the New York Mets on Friday. The veteran southpaw is an intriguing streaming option given his recent success. Over the last three starts, Perez owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, with nine strikeouts over 15.2 innings of work. He also has strong career numbers against the Mets, with a 3.09 ERA across 43.2 innings against the Mets in his career. The lack of strikeouts will likely keep his overall ceiling lower, but Perez remains a fairly trustworthy option at the moment.

3 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring), who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain, manager Walt Weiss told Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Acuna is on the IL for the second time this year with the same injury, but the Braves don't believe that it is as bad as Acuna's strain in May, which kept him out for just over two weeks. All in all, it's good news for the 28-year-old former MVP. Barring a setback as he rehabs, Acuna could be back with the Braves before the All-Star break in mid-July. In the meantime, Mauricio Dubon and Eli White could share playing time in right field in Atlanta, with Dubon being the more attractive deep-league waiver-wire pickup. Acuna, a five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner, should be stashed in all leagues, even though he's performing under his career levels so far in 2026 with a .251/.373/.421 slash line, seven homers, 22 RBI, 15 steals, and 31 runs scored in 195 at-bats.

4 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Braves Put Ronald Acuna Jr. on the Injured List With Strained Hamstring

The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and selected the contract of infielder Rowdy Tellez to the major-league roster in a corresponding move. It's the second time this year that Acuna has been on the IL with the same injury, and he missed just over two weeks back in May with a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain. The injury occurred the second time on Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox, when Acuna was attempting to beat out a ground ball to third base in the fourth inning. He came up limp just before reaching the first-base bag and eventually hobbled off the field with a trainer. Fantasy managers shouldn't just assume that Acuna will miss another two weeks this time around. In his absence, both Mauricio Dubon and Eli White could see additional playing time in the Braves' outfield. Although the former MVP isn't producing up to his normal All-Star standards in 2026, Acuna should still be held in an IL spot in all traditional fantasy leagues while he rehabs.

5 days ago

Hurston Waldrep • SP • Braves

Hurston Waldrep a Top Pitcher to Stash Ahead of Impending Return?

Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep (elbow), who is currently on the 60-day injured list, had his minor-league rehab assignment transferred to Double-A Columbus on Tuesday, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Waldrep will make a rehab start there on Thursday after already having two two-inning outings in the Florida Complex League as he works his way back from right-elbow surgery. The 24-year-old has at least three more weeks of ramping up before he's considered an option for the big-league starting rotation, so it might not be until after the mid-July All-Star break that we see him back with the Braves. The former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida deserves some stash consideration in deeper fantasy leagues after he had a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 55:22 K:BB in 56 1/3 innings pitched across 10 outings (nine starts) for Atlanta while going 6-1 last year. Waldrep's underlying metrics show that he was a bit fortunate in 2025, but he should have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in the second half of 2026. He's currently rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.

5 days ago

JR Ritchie • SP • Braves

Braves Recall Top Prospect JR Ritchie, Worth Adding in Standard Leagues?

The Atlanta Braves recalled right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie to the majors on Wednesday, according to Milb Central. It will be the second time that Ritchie has been in the big leagues in 2026 in his rookie season, having posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 16 walks and 21 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings over his first five starts in Atlanta in his first go-around. The team's No. 2 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has been much better in his eight starts (39 1/3 innings) with Triple-A Gwinnett this year, going 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 36:20 K:BB. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder throws in the high-90s and gets plenty of swing and miss with his fastball, making him an intriguing arm in dynasty/keeper leagues. It appears that Ritchie will be used in more of a relief role this time around in Atlanta, though, so fantasy managers in redraft leagues can hold off on adding him for now. Ritchie is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.

5 days ago

Matt Olson • 1B • Braves

Matt Olson Nearly Hits Three Homers in Loss to White Sox

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson was seeing the ball well in the 6-5 walk-off loss in Chicago on Tuesday night to the White Sox, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a walk to raise his average to .271 on the year and his OPS to .903. Both of Olson's home runs came in his first two at-bats of the game, and it was his first multi-homer performance of the 2026 season. The 32-year-old left-handed slugger nearly had a third round-tripper in the game, but it was brought back. Olson remains one of the most consistent power hitters in the game, and he's been especially hot lately, going 17-for-57 (.298) with five home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in his last 14 games since May 24. He's now hitting .271/.342/.561 on the season with a .903 OPS, 19 home runs, 50 RBI, 49 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 262 at-bats. The three-time All-Star leads the league with 147 total bases and trails only Kyle Schwarber for the home run lead in the National League.

5 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Dealing With Hamstring Tightness

Updating a previous report, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) was removed from Tuesday's game early against the Chicago White Sox with tightness in his left hamstring, according to Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan. Acuna tweaked his left hamstring in the fourth inning while trying to beat out a grounder to third base and hobbled off the field with a trainer. Considering Acuna already missed time and landed on the injured list with a left-hamstring injury this year, we think there's a high likelihood that he'll end up back on the IL. Fantasy managers need to prepare for that possibility. Eli White replaced Acuna in right field after he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, and he will likely be in line for starts in Atlanta's outfield if Acuna misses more time going forward. Acuna, a five-time All-Star and former MVP, has elite five-category upside, but he's also no stranger to injuries, and 2026 is shaping up as another injury-plagued season. He entered Tuesday's game in Chicago with a .254/.373/.425 slash line, .798 OPS, seven homers, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across his 52 games played. UPDATE: Manager Walt Weiss said after Tuesday's game that Acuna is day-to-day.

5 days ago

Drake Baldwin • C • Braves

Drake Baldwin to Start a Rehab Assignment This Weekend

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) will face live pitching on Thursday and Friday before starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett this weekend, according to Zach Sweet of MLB.com. "Thursday and Friday will be big days for him," Weiss said. If everything goes well during the 25-year-old backstop's rehab assignment this weekend, Weiss said that Baldwin could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list during the team's homestand from June 16-21. The left-handed-hitting catcher is recovering from a Grade 1 strained right oblique that has kept him out for the last two weeks, but he's inching closer to a potential return next week. With Baldwin sidelined, the Braves have been using a combination of veteran Sandy Leon and Austin Wynns behind the plate. Baldwin was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2025 and is already one of the best fantasy options at the position. He's hit .303 (57-for-188) so far in 2026 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and a stolen base, and he shouldn't be floating around on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues.

5 days ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Departs Early Tuesday With Lower-Leg Injury

Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (lower leg) was pulled from Tuesday's game early in Chicago against the White Sox after being thrown out at first and limped to the dugout with a trainer, according to Lindsay Crosby of Braves Today. Acuna looked to tweak something in his left leg while attempting to beat out a ground ball to third base in the fourth inning. Stay tuned for more information on Acuna's status and whether he might need another stint on the injured list. Before he was replaced in right field by Eli White, Acuna went 0-for-2 at the plate with a strikeout and a groundout. If Acuna requires a lengthy absence due to his injury, White will be in line for more playing time in Atlanta's outfield going forward. The 28-year-old Acuna has played in only 53 games so far in 2026 after already missing time with a leg injury in 2026, and he entered play on Tuesday with a .254/.373/.425 slash line, .798 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across 233 plate appearances, numbers that don't really live up to the high expectations that Acuna is known for. UPDATE: Acuna was diagnosed with left-hamstring tightness in the same leg that landed him on the IL earlier this season.

5 days ago

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Returns From Back Injury to Face White Sox

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is starting in center field for the Braves and will hit out of the two-hole for Tuesday's contest in Chicago against the White Sox and left-hander Brandon Eistert, per MLB.com. Harris was sidelined for the last two games with tightness in his back, but he'll return for the series opener on the South side on Tuesday, and fantasy managers should return him to their starting lineups in traditional leagues. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is in the midst of one of his best years in the big leagues, slashing .306/.340/.523 with an .863 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 30 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 62 games across 235 plate appearances for the first-place Bravos. He's been even better in his last 17 games since May 19, too, going 24-for-69 (.348) with five home runs, four doubles, 16 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in that span. Harris has never faced Eistert in his big-league career. Against lefties this year, Harris has gone 24-for-81 (.296) with four of his 13 long balls.

6 days ago

Spencer Schwellenbach • SP • Braves

Is Spencer Schwellenbach a Top Injury Stash?

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) had bone spurs removed from his elbow in February and has begun a throwing progression as he works his way back to the rotation at some point late in the season. Even though he's still a ways from his return and has been limited to throwing from flat ground, it could be time to stash him in deep leagues if you have roster flexibility to do so. He has been one of the most electric young arms in baseball when available, but has been limited to just 17 starts over the past two seasons. For standard-sized leagues, he's still too far away to stash quite yet, but he's definitely someone with enough upside to monitor his return closely as he makes progress over the next few weeks. In deeper leagues with more injury flexibility, though, he has enough late-season potential to be a sneaky add early in his return.

6 days ago

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Still Out on Sunday With Back Injury

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon will start in center field again and will bat in the two-hole for the series finale against Pirates left-handed opener Mason Montgomery at Truist Park. Harris is missing a second straight game after he was pulled from Friday's contest early due to back tightness. The 25-year-old's injury isn't considered serious, though, according to manager Walt Weiss, so he could be back in the team's starting lineup for the series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday after a scheduled day off on Monday. Harris has been a must-start when he's active for fantasy managers this year, as he's currently slashing .303/.338/.516 with an .853 OPS, 13 home runs, 37 RBI, 30 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 61 games played in 2026. Dubon is mostly known for his glove work all over the diamond, but the 31-year-old veteran has been clutch in his first year in Atlanta and could be a sneaky DFS sleeper for Sunday's slate in the two-hole.

Jun 7

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Out with Back Tightness

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is out of Saturday's lineup due to back tightness. The 25-year-old was removed late in Atlanta's win over Pittsburgh on Friday night, and the initial belief was that he would not miss any time. However, a day later, manager Walt Weiss acknowledged that Harris was still experiencing tightness in his back. While he will receive treatment, the expectation is that he will miss no more than this one game. Neither Harris nor the team believes the injury is serious, and there is a chance he will be available off the bench when the two teams meet again. This season, the Braves' center fielder has posted a .303/.338/.516 slash line with 13 home runs, three stolen bases, and an .854 OPS.

Jun 6

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Dealing With Back Tightness, Not Believed to be Serious

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) was removed from Friday night's game early against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning with back tightness, according to Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan. "We don't think it's anything serious," manager Walt Weiss said. "There's a pretty good chance he'll be back in there tomorrow." It sounds as though Harris escaped a major injury, so he could be right back in action for Game 2 of the series in Atlanta on Saturday. Before leaving the game late, the 25-year-old went 2-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and two strikeouts to raise his season average to .303 and his OPS to .854. He was replaced in center field at Truist Park by Eli White. The former third-round pick in 2019 hasn't run much yet (three steals) after reaching exactly 20 steals in three of his first four MLB seasons, but otherwise, Harris is having a career year. Coming into Friday's action, Harris had a robust .301/.336/.519 slash line, career-high .855 OPS, 13 long balls, 37 RBI, and 29 runs scored across 60 games and 229 plate appearances. He's been a must-start for fantasy managers in traditional leagues every day.

Jun 6

Atlanta Braves News

LEGEND