RADIO
Chris Sale Continues to be a Fantasy Ace
Despite being 37 years old, Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale has been one of the best pitchers in the National League in 2026 in his 16th season in the league. The former Cy Young winner and 10-time All-Star has managed to stay healthy this season and has been excellent for the Braves and fantasy managers alike, going 14-9 with a 2.10 ERA (2.26 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 184 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 150 innings pitched across his 25 starts. Sale picked up his eighth straight quality start his last time out on Sept. 4 against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, picking up a win while allowing two earned runs with one walk and seven strikeouts in six innings of work. He has at least six strikeouts in each of his last eight quality starts, and his 18 quality starts this year rank fifth in the National League. Sale also ranks second in the NL in ERA, third in wins and WHIP, and fourth in strikeouts. Sale has a tough matchup his next time out against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, but the veteran hurler is a must-start in all fantasy leagues, especially in the fantasy playoffs.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Drake Baldwin a High-End Catcher Option Amid Second-Half Surge
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has emerged as one of the best-hitting backstops in baseball this season, slashing .276/.353/.452 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI, 77 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 544 plate appearances. After a red-hot start to the season, Baldwin missed about a month after suffering an oblique strain in May and then battled through an extended slump upon his return, recording just three hits across 50 plate appearances in June. However, the 25-year-old has gotten back to his normal self since then, hitting .306 across 225 plate appearances since the All-Star break. The Braves also frequently deploy Baldwin as their designated hitter on days when he's not behind the plate, which helps keep his legs fresh and keeps him in the lineup on an everyday basis. Entering the final few weeks of the year, Baldwin remains an elite catcher option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ronald Acuna Jr. Showing Signs of a Late-Season Breakout
Across 400 plate appearances in 2026, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is hitting .253/.350/.442 with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases. Relative to the lofty bar he's set for himself in his career, Acuna Jr.'s numbers so far this season have been underwhelming. However, the 28-year-old has shown signs of a late-season surge in recent games. Across his first 26 plate appearances of September, Acuna Jr. has hit .417 with three home runs and nine RBI. Acuna Jr.'s underlying metrics have generally been trending in the right direction in the second half of the season, as he's posted a 49.1% hard-hit rate since the All-Star break after logging a 43.4% hard-hit rate in the first half of the year. When Acuna Jr. is fully healthy and has everything going at the plate, his five-category upside remains as high as just about any player in baseball. If he continues his current tear, Acuna Jr. could swing fantasy leagues in September.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryce Elder Set to Miss 3-4 Weeks After Having Knee Scope
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that right-hander Bryce Elder (knee) underwent knee surgery on Tuesday and will miss three to four weeks as a result of the procedure, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. While Elder has a chance to return to the postseason, his regular season is likely over. Across 149 innings (26 starts) before the injury, Elder recorded an 8-8 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 121 strikeouts. The 27-year-old's fantasy upside is limited by his subpar 19.1% strikeout rate. However, Elder proved himself to be a capable starting pitcher streamer at different points in 2026, especially while pitching in front of the potent Braves lineup. With Elder sidelined, Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver's place in the team's rotation is likely safe down the stretch of the season.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Reynaldo Lopez to Return to the Rotation on Wednesday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chad Bishop reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (knee) will come off the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. It will be Lopez's first start with Atlanta since July 27. He was placed on the IL on Aug. 2 with inflammation in his left knee. The veteran hurler looked good in his final minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, throwing 93 pitches in five shutout innings while striking out six for the Stripers. With Lopez returning, it will push the struggling Bryce Elder to a relief role while he battles knee issues of his own. Lopez, a 32-year-old Dominican hurler, will be returning to a 4-3 record this year with a 3.64 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 29 walks in 71 2/3 innings pitched across 24 outings (11 starts). He threw 5 2/3 shutout frames for a no-decision in his final start on July 26 against the Baltimore Orioles before landing on the IL, but he surrendered a combined nine earned runs in 9 1/3 innings in his previous two starts before that against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Reynaldo Lopez to Return to the Rotation Next Week
Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (knee) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to rejoin the team's starting rotation at some point next week, according to Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Lopez's first start back off the IL could line up to come next Wednesday against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, which would not be ideal for fantasy streaming purposes. The 32-year-old veteran has been sidelined with inflammation in his left knee since the end of July, but he is ready to rejoin the big-league roster after throwing 93 pitches in five scoreless innings for Triple-A Gwinnett in a minor-league rehab start on Thursday. The Dominican hurler will be making just his 12th start this year for the Braves next week and will be returning to a 4-3 record, 3.64 ERA (4.32 FIP), and 1.34 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 29 walks in 71 2/3 innings over his 24 appearances. Since rejoining Atlanta's rotation on June 26, Lopez posted a 3.86 ERA (3.88 FIP) with 28 hits allowed (four homers), eight walks, and 27 strikeouts in 28 innings across six starts. Lopez will be a matchup-based streamer to close things out in 2026 if he stays in the Braves' rotation through the end of September.
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Tyler Mahle a Waiver-Wire Priority After Strong Start With Atlanta
Right-hander Tyler Mahle went 3-9 with a 5.13 ERA (4.37 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 37 walks in 94 2/3 innings and 18 starts to begin the 2026 season with the San Francisco Giants before the Atlanta Braves acquired him in a trade at midseason. Since the move to the first-place Braves, the 31-year-old veteran has looked like a different pitcher, going 2-1 with a 1.48 ERA (2.87 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and only five walks in 30 1/3 frames over five starts. Mahle has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his five starts so far for Atlanta, and he gave up only one earned run with no walks and a season-high nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings in his last outing on Sunday, Aug. 30, against the Colorado Rockies. He will have a pretty big test his next time out this weekend against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. In two starts already this year against the Phils, Mahle allowed five earned runs on nine hits while walking seven and striking out nine in 10 2/3 innings. Mahle will be a riskier fantasy streamer in that matchup, but regardless, he deserves more waiver-wire attention down the stretch. Mahle is currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Hurston Waldrep to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
According to Mark Bowman, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Waldrep had surgery in February to remove loose bodies from his elbow. He made three appearances for the Braves before heading to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep suffered a setback with his elbow during his first outing back in the minors. It has been determined he'll require Tommy John surgery, which will likely knock him out until 2028. This is tough news for the 24-year-old, but hopefully he'll get healthy and back on the mound soon.
Source: Mark Bowman
Source: Mark Bowman
Spencer Strider Unlikely to Return This Season
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) is unlikely to get back on the mound this season, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Strider has been sidelined since the middle of June due to right elbow inflammation. He has resumed throwing, but it doesn't sound like he has made enough progress to make it back to the mound this season. It's worth noting that the Braves haven't officially ruled out Strider yet, but it seems unlikely that he'll pitch again in 2026. If his season is done, Strider will finish the year with a 5.31 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 46/20 K/BB ratio across eight starts. Fantasy managers in redraft formats are probably safe to move on.
Source: Mark Bowman
Source: Mark Bowman
Spencer Schwellenbach to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
According to Mark Bowman, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a fracture in his right elbow. Schwellenbach hasn't pitched all season after he underwent a procedure to remove bone spurs earlier this spring. It sounds like the issue didn't go away, so he'll need elbow surgery to fully repair the problem. Schwellenbach hasn't pitched in 14 months, and his status for the beginning of the 2027 season is now in doubt. Schwellenbach can safely be dropped in all redraft formats now. Hopefully, the Braves will be able to get something out of Schwellenbach next season.
Source: Mark Bowman
Source: Mark Bowman
Cam Caminiti Should Be High-Priority Stash In Dynasty Formats
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Cam Caminiti is having a nice month of August for Double-A Columbus with four starts, a 2.33 ERA, and 1.34 WHIP to go with 20 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings pitched. He does not have a decision this month. This year, he is 3-4 overall with High-A Rome with a 3.89 ERA and 1.21 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings pitched. At age 20, Caminiti has pitched for a month at Double-A since an early-August promotion and is doing very well in showing off his upside that he has at such a young age. He is the No. 2 prospect for the Braves and possesses a 60-grade fastball with a 55-grade slider and changeup. Caminiti is progressing quickly through the minors and looks like he could make 2027 an MLB debut season. He has all the tools to be successful and should be snatched up in dynasty leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Reynaldo Lopez to Begin Rehab Assignment on Sunday
Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (knee) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, according to Chad Bishop. Lopez has been out since late July due to left knee inflammation. It's unclear at the moment how many rehab appearances he'll need before rejoining the Braves. Barring any setbacks, fantasy managers should expect Lopez to be back in the mix in September. His fantasy value will be dependent on whether he returns as a starting pitcher or reliever. This season, Lopez owns a 3.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 66/29 K/BB ratio across 24 games (11 starts) with the Braves. Fantasy managers in deep leagues could stash Lopez as a helpful option down the stretch of the season.
Source: Chad Bishop
Source: Chad Bishop
Tyler Mahle Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Current Surge
Since being acquired by the Atlanta Braves from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline, veteran right-hander Tyler Mahle has gotten hot on the mound. Across 18 2/3 innings (three starts) for the Braves, Mahle has allowed just three earned runs while recording 19 strikeouts. The 31-year-old's overall line for the season isn't great, as he's recorded a 4-10 record with a 4.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts across 113 1/3 innings (21 starts). However, Mahle is now in a much better position to rack up wins following the move to Atlanta, and pitching for a contender may have been the jolt he needed to revitalize his 2026 campaign. Mahle had an extended stretch of high-end production as recently as 2025, when he pitched to a 2.18 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 86 2/3 innings (16 starts) with the Texas Rangers. As a matchup-dependent streamer, fantasy managers should consider Mahle on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
AJ Smith-Shawver to Start on Wednesday Against Twins
The Atlanta Braves will start right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It will be only Smith-Shawver's second start in the big leagues this year after returning from Tommy John surgery. His first start with Atlanta in 2026 came on July 29 against the division-rival New York Mets, when he allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out four in only 4 1/3 innings for a no-decision. The 23-year-old former seventh-rounder in 2021 has fared better in seven minor-league starts (28 2/3 innings) this year with Single-A Augusta and Triple-A Gwinnett, going 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 34:9 K:BB. Whether Smith-Shawver sticks around in Atlanta for more starts going forward could depend on how he does in his start on Wednesday against the Twins. In his first three years in the big leagues, Smith-Shawver posted a 3.77 ERA (4.79 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 34 walks in 74 innings across 16 outings (15 starts). UPDATE: Smith-Shawver is expected to stay in Atlanta's rotation behind his start on Wednesday.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Gabe Burns
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Gabe Burns
Eric Hartman Slumping in August, But Elite Speed is Intriguing
Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Eric Hartman is slumping to start the month of August at Double-A Columbus, hitting just .152 for the Clingstones with no homers or RBI. Hartman has split time between two minor league levels this season and has generally produced with 24 combined homers and 64 RBI to go with 81 runs scored and 45 stolen bases while hitting .265. The steals jump off the page for the 20-year-old, and his speed could be a weapon at the big-league level and for future fantasy rosters. The No. 2 overall prospect for the Braves has a 70-grade speed tool with a 55-grade hit tool. He looks like a future fantasy contributor because of the stolen base potential, but at Double-A at age 20, he will likely need some more work in the minors before breaking through at the big league level with Atlanta.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
