Atlanta faces a turbulent 2025 as expectations fade and injuries bite. Snitker, the franchise’s longest-tenured manager, is steering a club with aging roots and a contract likely to expire at season’s end, casting doubt on his future in Atlanta despite a string of playoff berths. The narrative centers on a pitching staff drained by injuries and a front-office pivot to depth, not rebuild.

Key injuries have crippled the rotation. Joe Jiménez’s knee setback closes out his 2025, Reynaldo López and Spencer Schwellenbach appear done for the year, and Atlanta has leaned on depth moves to patch the gaps. In response, Carlos Carrasco resurfaced on a minor-league deal, slated for Gwinnett as a long-innings option. Fantasy managers should monitor Carrasco’s innings intake and the evolving role of Atlanta’s longer men as the season winds down.

In short, the Braves’ season pivots on bullpen depth, innings-eating efforts, and managerial continuity. Carrasco’s arrival adds a veteran floor, while the injury toll narrows the path to late-season success and playoff positioning. For fantasy, value shifts to those absorbing extra frames and any late-inning opportunities that emerge as the rotation stabilizes post-injuries.

Atlanta Braves have been playing their best baseball in years, yet postseason hopes look dim this season. Manager Brian Snitker, in the final year of his contract, faces questions about his future as the club contends with injuries and payroll moves that could reshape their roster.

Injuries loom large: Joe Jiménez is shelved with knee soreness and won’t return this year, while Reynaldo López and Spencer Schwellenbach are unlikely to pitch again in 2025. At the same time, Ozuna and Iglesias haven’t lived up to expectations, leaving open the possibility of a late-season payroll play as Atlanta sits below the luxury-tax threshold and could save roughly $5 million by moving them if claimed.

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.

Spencer Strider, ace of the Atlanta Braves, has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a strained right hamstring sustained while playing catch. This injury comes shortly after his return from elbow surgery, marking his first big league appearance since April 2022. In his two starts this season, Strider allowed two runs in five innings against Toronto before his scheduled home debut against St. Louis.

Strider, who had a stellar 2023 season with a 20-5 record and a league-leading 281 strikeouts, is now sidelined, joining Reynaldo López, who is out for at least three months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery.