Braves' Spencer Schwellenbach: Defeated in big-league debut
Rotowire
Schwellenbach (0-1) took the loss against Washington on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over five innings.
Schwellenbach got his first big-league opportunity despite having not pitched above the Double-A level in the minors. The right-hander was locked in through four scoreless frames, but had to settle for a so-so debut after Lane Thomas tagged him for a three-run homer in the fifth. Schwellenbach did show some positive traits with 60 of 88 pitches thrown for strikes and 11 whiffs, and there's a good chance he fared well enough to earn at least one more turn in the rotation.
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Braves' Spencer Schwellenbach: Makes pro debut at Single-A
Rotowire
Schwellenbach (elbow) covered 1.2 no-hit scoreless innings for Single-A Augusta in his season debut Thursday, striking out one while working around two walks.
Schwellenbach threw 26 of his 42 pitches for strikes in the appearance, the first of his professional career after he was selected by Atlanta in the second round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft. He didn't pitch in either of the 2021 and 2022 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted, but he reported to spring training at full health and received the green light to bypass the rookie-ball level entirely.
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Braves' Spencer Schwellenbach: Throwing again
Rotowire
Schwellenbach (elbow) announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he's been cleared to play catch off flat ground.
Schwellenbach's light catch session Monday at extended spring training marked his first time throwing since undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. Due to the timing of his procedure along with the fact that Atlanta plans to develop him as a starter, the 2021 second-round pick may not be cleared to make his professional debut until the final month of this season or potentially 2023.
