Atlanta Braves Rotation Questions Rise Again as Bryce Elder Struggles and Joey Wentz Gets Injured

Struggles for Bryce Selder in an injury to Joey Wentz show just how fragile this Atlanta Braves rotation could be in 2026. You are Locked [music] on Braves, your daily Atlanta Braves podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. Hey, welcome back to Lockdown Braves, part of Lockdown Sports Atlanta, where we cover your favorite Atlanta sports teams each and every day. Also part of the Locked On podcast network, the number one sports podcast network. I'm your host, Jake Mastriani. I've been covering the Atlanta Braves in both written and podcast form for over 10 years now. And once again, this is Locked on Braves, your daily connection to all things Atlanta Braves. On today's mailbag episode, we're going to talk about a lot of the news over the weekend. Lot going on. So, I wanted to just jump on really quickly to cover it all, including the Joey Wentz injury suffered on Sunday. Bryce Elders rough outing. We'll look at the rotation once again. There's also some good stuff as well. Dier Fuentes, the bench battle with Kyle Farmer and Ben Gamble, Dominic Smith, all those guys playing really well. We'll also get into some of the World Baseball Classic content as well. Azie Albi's walk-off home run. So, a lot of good stuff to get to as well on today's episode of A Locked On Braves brought to you by MLB the show 26. Visit MLB the.show/lockedon and use code locked on to unlock a pack for use in Diamond Dynasty. pre-order it now. Available March 17th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, rated E for everyone. As I said, I wanted to have just a quicker, this be a little bit quicker episode, but we had a lot of news over the weekend for the Atlanta Braves. So, I wanted to cover that all uh on today's episode of Locked on Braves. And first, I want to talk about the starting rotation, obviously, what happened on Sunday with Bryce Selder and Joey Wentz. This came right on the heels. I'm not blaming Mark Bowman, but it came right on the heels of a Mark Bowman article where he talked about the positivity of the rotation in spring training. How it looked like one of the, you know, big concerns coming into spring training with the injuries to Schwenbach and a and uh and Hursten Waldrip right at the jump. And now Walt Weiss talking about it was look like one of the bright spots of spring training and then all of a sudden Grant Holmes walks three batters in two and two/3 innings. So he didn't give up a run in that one, but still just wasn't quite as sharp. Lopez, again, not bad numbers overall, but he talked about how it was a rough outing for him. And then on Sunday, Bryce Elder gets absolutely lit up and Joey Wentz gets injured in this one as well. Has to be carded off of the field. He hurt his right leg covering first base, collision there. Carted off the field, did walk into the clubhouse under his own power. Sounds like he may have avoided serious injury there. So hoping for good news. We'll find out more and as we get it, definitely we'll let you know and keep you updated. Uh, but Bryce Elder too, just a rough day overall. And for me, this is just a reminder that he's still Bryce Elder. He's capable of having really good stretches. He's capable of going on a run and looking like an all-star like he was in 2023 or like he was at the end of 2025. But he's also capable of looking just completely awful and giving up five, six runs in in three, four, five inning stretches and outings. Uh, one thing to notice too, his fastball for seaming fastball velocity was down 2 and a half miles per hour and we had talked a lot about how that velocity had bumped up. Now, his sinker velocity was around where it was last season, but still down from where it was this spring training. So, not really sure what was going on with there. Just might have been a bad day overall. Again, for both of these situations, I don't want to overreact, but the the overall point of this is that you can see how volatile this rotation can be where you have guys and Ronaldo Lopez. We don't really know what he's going to look like. He hasn't pitched in a long time and he he may have some bumps coming back. He's going to have some days where he just, you know, certainly doesn't feel like or doesn't have it and is going to have to battle through that for not having pitched in so long. you know, a guy in in a Grant Holmes who struggled with walks before. That's something that's, you know, going to continue to plague him until he gets that under control if he ever does. And then you have, you know, a Bryce Elder and Joey Wentz who, let's be honest, they are their fifth and sixth starter. So, I don't want to again overreact to this, but you can see how quickly things can can change for both of those guys. You know, there's a lot of hype on Joey Wentz after his last outing. um you know now he's hurt and all of a sudden you have you could potentially have another hole in your starting rotation that you have to feel. So again I talked about this in episode last week the strength and we weaknesses of this team on the weaknesses size I said the rotation just because I don't know what I'm getting from these guys and I still stand by that. But in the strengths I talked about the depth and that's where you're going to have guys like Diddier Fuentes have to step up or possibly a J.R. Richie. But speaking of Fuentes, he shined in his spring debut over the weekend. He came into the sixth inning, came in in the sixth inning on Saturday, threw just 25 pitches. 20 of them were four seamers through five sweepers as well. The four seamer averaged 97.4 miles per hour, and it had 16 inches of induced vertical break. You want to know more about induced vertical break? We talked about that on an episode Friday night on Spencer Strider. You want to go back and give that a listen. But what's incredible, and that's not elite IBB numbers, that's just elite velocity, but he generated seven whiffs on 10 swings against that four seam fastball. That is just incredible. I mean, you get a whiff rate on your four seamer over 20%, you're doing something. That's a 70% whiff rate. I don't need you to help me do the math on that one. That is really good stuff from Ddier Fuentes, who he hadn't seen in a long time. Good to see him jump back in there. And look, it was it was later in the in the spring training game. It was somewhat of just a bullpen outing. Maybe he aired it out a little bit. I don't know. But either way, certainly was very impressive. Somebody else who's been really impressive in spring training that I think at this point's just a lot to be in the bullpen, and that's James Karen. Four innings so far this spring, he's allowed just one hit. He has walked a couple of batters, but no earned runs and nine strikeouts in four innings. On Saturday, he averaged just 93.3 miles per hour with his force seamer, which was was a little bit down. He's usually more 94 95 range, but 20 inches of IBB. And again, if you remember from Friday night's episode, we talked about this. 20 in is best in baseball. There was only one pitcher last year who had over 20 inches of induced vertical break. So, it is a big time fast ball with that, you know, perceived rise on it with that IVB. and he got he got four whiffs as well on seven swings on his four seamers. So, lot of swings and misses on four seamers late in that game on Saturday with both Fuentes and Karen Czech. And then on the offensive side of thing, Mike Justky, it's almost to the point now where you just first of all, you want to put him in bubble wrap, but also don't want to waste this hot streak that he's on at the moment. Seven games so far in spring training for Mike Ystrimsky, 17 at bats, he has nine hits, one double, four home runs, three walks, and four strikeouts. 1894 ops. Again, I was very happy with the signing of Ystrimsky, even though I did think it was more of a a budget move, but I am very excited about the possibility of Mike Ystrimky. I laid all that out in a podcast last week, too. But just being a left-handed hitter, you know, getting out of San Francisco, you saw what he did in KC last week, which is a better ballpark for left-handed hitters, and then coming to Atlanta, which is a really good ballpark for power for left-handed hitters. I think Micah Shrimp is gonna have a big season in Atlanta and he's off to a hot start in spring training. You just hope that he doesn't cool off by the time the season gets here. You know, all players are going to have their ups and downs. Mic Shrimsky has definitely come out swinging in the spring. And then the bench battle right now, it has become a you know, there's a bench spot open obviously with ProFar, a bench spot just for playing time too. And you've got Ben Gaml, Dominic Smith, Kyle Farmer, and Joseé Azokar who are all playing really well right now. Ben Gaml was my dark horse to make the roster back when I did the non-roster and mighty list a while ago. To be fair, I don't think Dominic Smith was on that in that episode just yet. But I talked about Ben Gaml and I said at the time I would rather it be a right-handed hitter, but he definitely has that pop. He's a veteran MLB hitter. He has four home runs this spring. He hit his fourth one on Sunday. He has five hits this spring, a double and four home runs. So, he's just an extra base machine. Uh but Dominic Smith had three hits on Sunday. He is seven for 16 so far this spring. So, he's also making a case. Both those guys left-handed hitters. Again, I'd prefer a right-handed bat to be able to platoon with Mike Ystrimsky, but give me one of these guys as a left-handed bat off the bench, too. And maybe you find a way to work them both in the lineup. I mean, you could have a lineup against a righty where, you know, you strips in left, you put one of these guys at DH and Drake Baldwin at catcher, and you got a really strong left-handed lineup in there. Kyle Farmer is eight for 18 this spring with a double and a homer, one walk to four strikeouts. Jose Azokar is eight for 21 with a couple of doubles. None of these four guys I mentioned are on the 40man roster, although there is an opening at the moment. Farmer and Azokar, as I mentioned, right-handed hitters. Kyle Farmer has a career OPS of 805 against left-handed pitchers, including a 766 OPS versus left-handed pitchers last year and 111 at bats for the Rockies. So, I think Farmer's becoming a sneaky guy to be on the roster, too. maybe even taking the spot of Brett Wisley, who right now is on the 40man roster and projected to be on the bench. But I think Kyle Farmer with what he has done historically against left-handed pitchers being a guy that can kind of play all over for you too in that emergency situation. I think Kyle Farmer, Ben Gaml, both of those guys, maybe Dominic Smith, too, but I like Gamble because you can at least put him in the outfield. You know, if I had to predict right now, I'd say Farmer and Gamble have a pretty good shot of maybe both being on the roster, at least to begin the year before Murphy and Hassan Kim come back. So, a lot happening in springing spring training right now. A lot of good stuff. I I think overall, again, not overreacting to one turn through the rotation for the Atlanta Braves and Lopez and Holmes outings. You weren't bad numbers wise and give up a lot of runs if any. Uh, but more so just wanted to touch on the Joey Wentz injury in the Bryce Elder start as well. Uh, but that's, you know, that's where this rotation is. you are hyperfocused on it and you're you're hoping for a lot for this Braves rotation and hoping that everybody stays healthy. You just cannot take any more injuries, not even to your fifth six starter right now. So hopefully Joey WZ is okay. Again, we'll update you that we when we get more information on Joey Wentz. Next, I want to get into the World Baseball Classic because there's a lot of exciting stuff happening there too for your Atlanta Braves. We'll get into all that here next. Today I'm thrilled to be talking about our sponsor MLB The Show 26. The greatest game in baseball is back with its newest installment. Baseball fans are going to have a hard time putting pulling themselves away from the game, myself included, later this week when the game drops. You got that early access happening this week. 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You also have all access tier as well. We get all access episodes from myself and Lindsay and text access to us as well. And if you're signed up before the NCA tournament tips off, you can get into our everyday club bracket pool on Discord for a chance to win locked on merch. And right now, you can use code March to get your first month free. Head to lockdown.supcast.com or tap the link in the show notes. Hopefully you've been enjoying the World Baseball Classic over the past weekend. It's been a lot of fun and you've seen some pretty cool moments from your Atlanta Braves as well. Ronald doubled in his first at bat of the World Baseball Classic. His team Venezuela went on to beat up on the Netherlands with Aussie and Trump on there. No longer jerk to ProAR. Uh Ronald and Trump had a little bit of a confrontation in that one if you didn't miss it as well. Not to make too much of a deal out of it. Uh but Ronald as always didn't like being pitched inside. had something to say. Uh, again, just friendly conversation there with him and Trump. Uh, but they did go on, Venezuela did go on to beat Netherlands and so, you know, there was a lot of trash talk between Ronald and Aussie right after the game. Ronald posting to Azie. Uh, so that was a lot of fun there to see those guys going head-to-head. And then Nacho Alvarez, a late addition to the Mexican team, Mexican roster. He homerred for team Mexico to put them on top in their first game. Had an electric trip around the bases. If you haven't seen that, please go make sure that you do. I know it's all over the internet. You've probably already seen it. And then you've definitely already seen this Aussy's walk-off home run. The first ever walk-off home run in the World Baseball Classic. So, that was really cool to see. And especially for Aussie. Unfortunately, the Netherlands are probably not going to be around very long. They're one and two right now. Uh but we should have Aussie and Trump back in spring training pretty soon. So, that'll be good. But a great moment there for Azie. Just my overall thoughts on the World Baseball Classic. So far though, though, it's been a lot of fun. It has definitely been a lot of fun, but the games haven't been all that exciting. You know, some of the best games have been in the the the Japan pool, and unfortunately, those games are happening while most people are sleeping. So, we haven't been able to to witness many of those, or at least I haven't. Uh Aussy's walk-off's probably the moment of the classic so far. There's also the Puerto Rican game where they had the big hit late, and you can see Eddie Rosario running around the field. So, another Braves connection there. And that is that Puerto Rican and Panama game on Saturday. I watched some of that. I did miss the ending of it there, but that one was a lot of fun kind of back and forth. But there isn't that really Cinderella team like we've seen just kind of hanging around getting that big upset. I don't feel like we've seen a lot of those upsets in this World Baseball Classic. I feel like we're all just waiting on those quarterfinal matchups between the DR and Venezuela, Japan, uh, and US. I think we're all just kind of waiting on that right now. There are some interesting matchups to come. Now, I think that the the pool play was backloaded. There's a lot of really good matchups at the in the final couple of days of pool play. You got Cuba and Puerto Rico on Monday night. You got Mexico and USA on Monday night. That's going to be the probably the biggest game in that pool. Uh Canada and Puerto Rico on Tuesday night. Italy versus USA on Tuesday night. Uh then you got Canada and Cuba on Wednesday afternoon. Italy and Mexico on Wednesday night. And then Dominican Republic Republic and Venezuela on Wednesday night as well. That'll be a really fun matchup. Both of those teams might already be advancing, but still that's going to be a really exciting game to watch. So, still a lot more on the docket, but it the games so far have been a little bit underwhelming uh to this point, but still a lot of fun and seeing these meaningful games in March. Definitely enjoying the World Baseball Classic and looking forward to some of these matchups coming up in the next couple of days. Let me know what you think. Have you enjoyed the World Baseball Classic so far? Have you been locked into it? It's fun to have these games all day long, too. Uh that's, you know, it gives you that March Madness vibe as we certainly are in March and and March Madness itself is coming up. So, I definitely definitely enjoy the World Baseball Classic and had a good time watching it over the weekend. Uh but I am I am anticipating those big matchups we have later this week and in the quarterfinal, semi-final, and obviously the final rounds. All right, that will do it for this quick episode of a locked on raves. Just wanted to catch you up on everything happening over the weekend. Thanks so much for tuning in. If you're new on YouTube, please hit that subscribe button. Hit that thumbs up button. Leave us a comment down below as it helps others find the show. If you're listening on the audio version, you can help out as well. Just leave a fivestar review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast. Thanks so much for making Lockdown Brave your first listen of the day. Again, you want to be part of our everyday club. We have two tiers there. And you can use our code March for a free month. And if you join before the NCA tournament starts, you can get into our Discord bracket pool as well. So that's a lot of fun going on there. You can also get our all accessess tier. We get all access episodes for myself and Lindsay text access to us as well and so much more. Check that out at lockdownbra.supercast.com. Again, that would do it for this episode of Locked On Braves. Make sure that you rate, review, and subscribe to the Lock Braves podcast wherever you get your podcast. And we will talk to you next time.

Atlanta Braves’ rotation depth faces fresh doubts as Bryce Elder struggles and Joey Wentz suffers an untimely injury. Are the Braves already on shaky ground before Opening Day? Jake Mastroianni spotlights Elder’s volatile outings and the uncertainty swirling around fifth and sixth starter roles, prompting questions about Atlanta’s ability to weather further setbacks on the mound. The discussion covers standout spring performances from Didier Fuentes, James Karinchak, and Mike Yastrzemski, as well as a heated bench battle featuring Ben Gamel, Dominic Smith, Kyle Farmer, and Jose Azócar. Spring Training buzz intensifies with updates on World Baseball Classic heroics from Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Nacho Alvarez. Can Atlanta maintain its competitive edge amidst rotation concerns? Jake Mastroianni also explores lineup possibilities, bullpen locks, and which bench bats might secure Opening Day spots. Don’t miss this pulse-check on the Braves as they gear up for another championship chase. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-braves/ Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/mlb/ #Braves #AtlantaBraves #mlb Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PlayStation This episode of is brought to you by MLB The Show 26. Visit https://mlbthe.show/lockedon and use code “LOCKEDON” to unlock a pack for use in Diamond Dynasty. Pre-Order now, Available March 17th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. RATED E FOR EVERYONE. Turbo Tax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)