Overview
- Citing Grant McAuley’s reporting on Saturday, Spencer Schwellenbach said he began flat-ground throwing from 60 feet every other day and called the early sessions encouraging.
- Schwellenbach plans two weeks at 60 feet, then two weeks at 75 feet before progressing to mound work if he continues to respond well to the program.
- Manager Walt Weiss said there is still no firm timetable for Schwellenbach’s big-league return, noting the club will wait for each rehab step to clear before outlining a schedule.
- Teammates AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep are also advancing in rehab, with Smith-Shawver throwing high-intensity bullpens and both pitchers preparing to throw to hitters as the next step.
- Schwellenbach had bone spurs removed from his elbow in February and carries a 3.23 ERA and 1.007 WHIP in 234 1/3 career innings, and the Braves’ strong start this season lessens immediate pressure but raises the stakes for roster decisions if those arms return healthy.