Atlanta is navigating a brutal health spell as Austin Riley and Chris Sale heal from injuries, leaving the Braves thin in both lineup and rotation. Riley, sidelined by a strained lower abdominal muscle, is nearing a return, while Sale rests after a left rib fracture with rehab starts on the schedule. Atlanta plans to activate Sale after a final rehab outing, with Riley returning once pain-free. The team sits well below .500 but is counting on a healthier finish and momentum for 2026, anchored by Riley’s long-term commitment and Sale’s ongoing resilience.

Riley’s absence hurts the lineup, but his big-money extension anchors the future. In 102 games for Atlanta, he’s slashed .260/.737 with 16 homers and 54 RBIs, providing a steady middle-of-order presence when available. Sale, meanwhile, has been exceptional since joining the Braves, going 23–7 with a 2.43 ERA across 44 starts, a testament to the high upside when he’s on the mound. His return would boost the rotation as the Braves balance risk with performance, especially as they weigh workload against next season’s plans.

With the team at 56–68 and playoff dreams distant, Atlanta is prioritizing health and ramping up for 2026. Riley’s return is viewed as pivotal for the present and the long arc, while Sale’s estimated workload ramp suggests the club is budgeting for a strong next year. The White Sox series looms as a potential spark, and the Braves will lean on depth until Riley and Sale are fully ramped back into peak form.

Injuries and roster decisions have unlocked a wave of pitching depth across MLB, creating fresh two-way SP/RP options that are still widely available in many leagues. Waldrep’s shift into Atlanta’s rotation signals a real pitching profile upgrade, with a six-man plan likely on the horizon when Chris Sale returns. Cavalli’s return from Tommy John keeps him on fantasy radars for 2025, though streaming this year remains a gamble. Cantillo has been stretched to a starter in Cleveland, while Javier stands as the most proven name on the list, though his TJ return brings rust risk. Perkins in Oakland flaunts high strikeout upside as the A’s try him as a starter for the final weeks. McGreevy offers a dependable innings floor for St. Louis, and McLean is a top prospect whose big-league debut could materialize soon. This cohort underscores how injuries and development pipelines reshape weekly fantasy options with SP/RP eligibility.

The Atlanta Braves ride a three-game skid into a season-tilt slump, their once-elite rotation battered by injuries around Chris Sale, whose rib fracture on June 18 halted a rebound run. Sale had already re-emerged in 2025 with a 2.52 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings, earning another All-Star nod before the injury. With postseason out of reach for many, fans urge rest, but Sale remains determined to pitch this year to set up 2026, where his $18 million club option and pending free agency loom large.

From a fantasy lens, Sale’s health gap matters beyond 2025. If he returns, he could anchor a Braves rotation starved for innings, while the club option and FA status shape how aggressively to roster him next season. The milestone 2,500th strikeout this year adds to his legend as he aims to log big innings next year, making his health and workload critical for fantasy boards heading into 2026.

The Atlanta Braves, currently 47-66 and having a disappointing season, are not considering a complete pivot to 2026 just yet. Manager Brian Snitker announced that injured pitcher Chris Sale is set to throw batting practice soon. The reigning NL Cy Young winner is recovering from a rib fracture sustained in mid-June. Despite the team's struggles, they plan to utilize Sale before the season ends, likely due to his outstanding performance earlier this year.

Sale's statistics are impressive: a 2.52 ERA and a striking 114-26 K-BB ratio in 89.1 innings prior to his injury. Despite Atlanta being far behind in the NL East and at risk of a losing season, his return could provide a much-needed boost. Braves management is also expected to pick up Sale's $18 million option for the 2026 season, indicating their belief in his long-term value.

The Atlanta Braves have faced a challenging season, falling short of the expectations set after a promising offseason. Their prospects for postseason play appear dim, leading to speculation about upcoming free agency moves.

Amid these discussions, Chris Sale is poised to return next season, with the Braves likely to exercise his $18 million option. However, the Braves may seek to bolster their starting rotation, eyeing Ranger Suárez of the Philadelphia Phillies, a coveted free agent.

Suárez, who earned All-Star honors in 2024, may be looking to stay with the Phillies. Still, with the emergence of young pitchers Andrew Painter and Mick Abel, Philadelphia could opt to let him go. With a projected six-year deal worth $169 million in the cards, Atlanta could secure a long-term asset to complement Sale and Spencer Strider in their rotation.