Warriors' top rookie Schwellenbach placed on 60-day injured list due to right elbow bone spur

In the past two seasons, injuries have been a major challenge for the Atlanta Warriors. As spring training began, the team was still under this cloud. The front office revealed that starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach will miss at least the first two months of the regular season due to a right elbow bone spur.

“I always say, before the season even begins, the pitching depth is bound to be challenged,” said Warriors head coach Walt Weiss. “It’s almost unavoidable. But nobody wants to face this kind of issue in February.”

The good news is that examinations showed Schwellenbach’s right elbow ulnar collateral ligament remains intact. While surgery is likely unnecessary, the team still placed him on the 60-day injured list Wednesday to free up a 40-man roster spot for signing catcher Jonah Heim to a one-year contract.

As a result, Schwellenbach won’t return until at least late May, and probably even later. The 25-year-old pitcher was initially confident about his recovery; he missed the final three months of the 2025 season due to a right elbow fracture and spent the entire offseason preparing for a full comeback. However, less than two weeks ago, after a side-throwing session, he experienced discomfort, and optimism quickly faded.

“He was in great shape before,” Weiss said. “Bullpen sessions were going smoothly. But about a week and a half ago, during his last pitching session, something felt off. That’s when alarm bells went off. Of course, we hope for the best. He’s genuinely a front-of-the-rotation starter, and losing a player like him is tough. But there are some talented pitchers and capable players in spring training who will get their chance.”

This was clearly not the situation Weiss expected on the first day of spring training as the Warriors’ manager. But having been immersed in the game for years since winning the 1988 AL Rookie of the Year, he understands that even the most successful seasons come with unexpected hurdles.

On Wednesday, as Weiss watched the Warriors’ pitchers and catchers complete their first annual workout, his attention was drawn to several starting pitcher candidates whose chances of making the opening rotation have increased significantly.

Based on the current roster, Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, and Grant Holmes could fill the first four spots in the starting rotation.

The competition for the fifth starter includes Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, and Hurston Waldrep. It’s important to note that while Waldrep performed well late last season, Elder, Wentz, and Holmes no longer have minor league option years remaining.

The team’s pitching depth is already being tested, making it even more urgent to retain Elder and Wentz.

In fact, even before Schwellenbach’s injury was announced, it was widely believed that the Warriors needed to add a starting pitcher. Will his absence now prompt baseball operations president Alex Anthopoulos to accelerate efforts to acquire Lucas Giolito or another experienced starter?

“I know Alex is already working on it,” Weiss said. “He’s definitely making calls and pushing hard. Whether it happens, I’m not sure, but Alex never stops trying to improve the roster.”

Schwellenbach showed promise in 2024, starting at High-A and then posting a 3.35 ERA over 21 major league starts. Before his injury last year, he maintained a 3.09 ERA across 17 starts, leading the league in innings pitched, and lowered his ERA to 2.60 over his final 10 starts.

“My heart goes out most to Spencer himself,” Weiss said. “This young man has achieved remarkable feats in a short time, and his future remains bright.”