Schwellenbach and Waldrep to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery, Weiss Says

Atlanta's rotation depth just took two hits at once.

Per Mark Bowman, Braves manager Walt Weiss said both Spencer Schwellenbach and Waldrep are expected to undergo season-ending surgery, ending their 2025 campaigns. Weiss reportedly added that he doesn't know whether either pitcher got on the mound before that determination was made — leaving the precise circumstances of each situation unconfirmed. No club announcement has accompanied the report.

What we don't know yet

Neither the specific procedure nor the timeline for either pitcher has been detailed in the report. Weiss's uncertainty about whether they threw at all before the decision was reached suggests the situation may still be developing at the organizational level.

Why it matters

The Braves' rotation depth was already drawing scrutiny heading into the stretch run, with questions about whether the back end of the staff could hold up into October. Losing two arms tightens that margin further, putting additional weight on the pitchers already in the mix.

Chris Sale's complete-game shutout against the Dodgers offered a vivid counterpoint to the concern, but one elite performance doesn't paper over a rotation that just got shorter by two.