The Atlanta Braves’ rotation took another blow this week as Spencer Schwellenbach hit the IL with a fractured elbow. The 25-year-old righty, who was emerging as an All-Star candidate, will be shut down from throwing for the next four weeks, with a potential return to the mound not expected until September.<\/p>\n
The injury follows a dominant outing on June 28 against the Phillies during which Schwellenbach struck out a career-high 12 batters over seven innings. However, the performance came at a cost.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Doctors] just used the term ‘freak accident,’\u201d Schwellenbach said. \u201cHonestly, from the bump in velo I\u2019ve had in the last month, maybe my elbow just wasn\u2019t ready for it. Who knows? It could have been anything.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Schwellenbach\u2019s Journey To Higher Velocity<\/h3>\n
That velocity spike has been a work in progress this season. On May 31 against the Red Sox, Schwellenbach threw 13 pitches at 99 mph or higher, a feat he had never achieved in his previous 33 professional starts. Just weeks later, the Braves are without the young star. The situation is similar to that of A.J. Smith-Shawver<\/a>, who also saw a jump in velocity before tearing his UCL and undergoing season-ending surgery.<\/p>\n
Braves manager Brian Snitker expressed his frustration amidst the team’s fourth significant rotation loss this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate it for him,\u201d Snitker said. \u201cThe way he was going and the consistency that he\u2019s shown and what he was doing for this team, he\u2019ll be fine. He just keeps getting better.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Schwellenbach\u2019s Standout Stats<\/h3>\n
Schwellenbach, who owns a 7\u20134 record and a 3.09 ERA in 17 starts, has established himself as a top performer. According to Baseball Savant, his fastball run value ranks in the top 2% of all MLB pitchers and his overall pitching metrics, including off-speed run value and chase rate, are among the league\u2019s top 10%.<\/p>\n
The Braves\u2019 Injury-Ridden Rotation<\/h3>\n
The loss further decimates an already thin Braves rotation. Chris Sale<\/a> is sidelined with a fractured rib cage until at least August. Smith-Shawver is out for the year. Reynaldo L\u00f3pez\u2019s<\/a> timeline for a return from shoulder surgery remains unclear. With Schwellenbach now joining that group, the team is relying on inexperienced arms, including 20-year-old Didier Fuentes<\/a>.<\/p>\n