The Atlanta Braves are grappling with mounting challenges in their starting rotation, yet their depth has so far helped them navigate the storm. The latest blow came when AJ Smith-Shawver exited his last start after experiencing a concerning "pop" in his elbow. Placed on the injured list due to a strained right elbow, his return appears uncertain, as manager Brian Snitker indicated that the prognosis is not promising. While the rotation has been resilient, they will need every ounce of their depth to cope with Smith-Shawver's absence.

Adding to the rotation's woes, Reynaldo López is recovering from shoulder surgery, Spencer Strider is still regaining form post-Tommy John surgery after a hamstring setback, and Chris Sale has recently stabilized after a shaky start. Despite these setbacks, the Braves' rotation ERA stands at a respectable 3.78, bolstered by the emergence of Grant Holmes, who has delivered a solid 3.68 ERA over 10 starts.

Smith-Shawver has proven valuable, boasting a 2.33 ERA before his injury, contributing to the Braves' 5-2 record in games he started. Bryce Elder has also shown promise, improving recently with a 3.10 ERA in his last five starts. The rotation dynamics will hinge on the continued recovery of Strider and López, alongside the contributions from Elder and Holmes, to help the Braves maintain their position in a competitive NL East.