Out for the rest of 2026
Schwellenbach had season-ending elbow surgery in late August 2026, his second elbow operation of the year. He has not pitched in the majors since June 28, 2025. How the injuries hit the rotation
Born
May 31, 2000
Hometown
Saginaw, MI
College
Nebraska
Bats / Throws
Right / Right
Drafted
2021, Rd. 2 (#59)
MLB Debut
May 29, 2024
Height / Weight
6-1 / 200
Number
56
MLB Career Snapshot
15-11
W-L
3.23
ERA
235
Strikeouts
1.01
WHIP
38 starts across 2024 and 2025.
Pitch Arsenal
2025 usage and average velocity (Statcast).
His primary pitch, averaging 97.1 mph in 2025, up from 96.1 mph and 28.8% usage in 2024.
His main breaking ball and most-used secondary pitch, thrown in the upper 80s.
He throws a splitter instead of a changeup; it sits about 12 mph below the four-seamer.
His slowest pitch at 81 mph, giving hitters a different speed and shape to handle.
A hard cutter at 94 mph, up nearly a full tick from 2024.
A two-seam look at 95.6 mph, used a bit more often in 2025 than in 2024.
Background and College Career
Spencer Schwellenbach is one of the more unusual development stories in Braves history. He arrived at the University of Nebraska as a shortstop and only started pitching as a junior, working as the Huskers' closer. That 2021 season he hit .284 with six home runs, posted a 0.57 ERA with 10 saves, and won the John Olerud Award as the best two-way player in college baseball, along with Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
The Braves took him in the second round of the 2021 draft (59th overall) to develop exclusively as a starting pitcher. He had Tommy John surgery shortly after signing, missed all of 2022, and made his pro debut at Single-A Augusta in 2023, pitching in the Futures Game that summer.
From Double-A to the Rotation
Schwellenbach opened 2024 at High-A Rome, made two scoreless starts at Double-A Mississippi, and was called up to make his big-league debut on May 29, 2024 against the Nationals, having never pitched above Double-A. He finished his rookie year 8-7 with a 3.35 ERA and 127 strikeouts against just 23 walks in 21 starts.
He was even better in 2025: a 3.09 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP through 17 starts, his first complete game against the Brewers on June 11, and a career-high 12 strikeouts against the Phillies on June 28. His 2025 walk rate ranked in the 99th percentile in baseball. That Phillies start turned out to be his last of the year; days later the Braves found a small fracture in his pitching elbow.
What Makes Him Special
The early comparisons to Spencer Strider undersold how different he is. Schwellenbach throws six pitches: a 97 mph four-seamer, a hard cutter, a sinker, a slider, a curveball and a splitter, and he throws all of them for strikes. Hitters chase out of the zone against him at one of the highest rates in baseball, and he almost never beats himself with walks.
The question now is health. He has not pitched in the majors since June 2025, had bone spurs removed in February 2026, and needed a second operation in August. When he is on the mound, he is one of the best young starters in the National League.
Injury Timeline
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June 28, 2025
Career-high 12 strikeouts over seven innings in a 6-1 win over the Phillies. It is still his most recent big-league start.
-
July 2, 2025
Placed on the injured list with a small fracture in his right elbow. The injury ends his 2025 season.
-
February 10, 2026
Moved to the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Tests show his UCL is intact.
-
February 18, 2026
Has surgery to remove bone spurs from the elbow.
-
May 2026
Cleared to begin a throwing progression, but bullpen sessions never feel fully right.
-
August 28, 2026
The Braves announce a second, season-ending elbow surgery. He does not pitch in 2026.
MLB Stats
| Year | Team | Lev | W | L | ERA | G | GS | IP | H | BB | SO | WHIP | SO9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Atlanta | MLB | 8 | 7 | 3.35 | 21 | 21 | 123.2 | 106 | 23 | 127 | 1.043 | 9.2 |
| 2025 | Atlanta | MLB | 7 | 4 | 3.09 | 17 | 17 | 110.2 | 89 | 18 | 108 | 0.967 | 8.8 |
| Career | 2 seasons | MLB | 15 | 11 | 3.23 | 38 | 38 | 234.1 | 195 | 41 | 235 | 1.007 | 9.0 |
College and Minor League Stats
College pitching and minor league stats before his May 2024 debut.
| Year | Team | Lev | W | L | ERA | G | GS | IP | H | BB | SO | WHIP | SO9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Nebraska | NCAA | 3 | 1 | 0.57 | 18 | 0 | 31.2 | 22 | 8 | 34 | 0.947 | 9.7 |
| 2023 | Augusta | A | 4 | 2 | 2.63 | 13 | 13 | 51.1 | 44 | 15 | 41 | 1.149 | 7.2 |
| 2023 | Rome | A+ | 1 | 0 | 1.98 | 3 | 3 | 13.2 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 0.366 | 9.2 |
| 2024 | Rome | A+ | 2 | 1 | 2.53 | 6 | 6 | 32.0 | 26 | 9 | 34 | 1.094 | 9.6 |
| 2024 | Mississippi | AA | 2 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 2 | 13.0 | 5 | 1 | 17 | 0.462 | 11.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spencer Schwellenbach injured?
Yes. He is on the 60-day injured list and out for the rest of the 2026 season after a second elbow surgery in August. He had bone spurs removed from the same elbow in February, after a small fracture ended his 2025 season in early July.
When will Schwellenbach pitch again?
Not in 2026. The earliest he can return to the Braves is the 2027 season; the club will set his timeline after he recovers from the August surgery.
Where did Spencer Schwellenbach go to college?
Schwellenbach played at the University of Nebraska as a shortstop and closer. He won the John Olerud Award in 2021 as the best two-way player in college baseball, along with Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
How old is Spencer Schwellenbach?
Schwellenbach was born May 31, 2000 in Saginaw, Michigan. He turned 26 during the 2026 season.
What are his career numbers?
Through 2025 he is 15-11 with a 3.23 ERA, 235 strikeouts and 41 walks in 234.1 innings over 38 major-league starts.
