Braves urged to add Frankie Montas and or former $38.5 million Red Sox All-Star

The Atlanta Braves are dealing with a handful of long-term injuries with starting pitchers, highlighted by Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach. 

Waldrep is on the 15-day injured list after having loose bodies removed from his throwing elbow, and Schellenbach is on the 60-day IL with right elbow discomfort.

That's not exactly how Braves manager Walt Weiss likely envisioned the start of the season for either of them. 

Due to their injuries and Atlanta's lack of depth behind Chris Sale, FanSided's Austin Owens notes that the front office should be exploring the free agent market for additional arms. 

There remain a few notable arms left unsigned. 

Braves urged to sign Frankie Montas and or Lucas Giolito 

"Regardless of how impressive Atlanta's starters have been, the fact of the matter is this level of success is far from sustainable with their current roster," Owens wrote Tuesday. "Spencer Strider is eyeing a return in the coming weeks, but even with him back in the rotation, the back end of that staff could use an upgrade." 

Both Frankie Montas and Lucas Giolito remain free agents and have dealt with their fair share of struggles and injuries over the past few seasons. Would adding more injury risks to the roster fix the Braves' glaring issue? 

"Lucas Giolito would be a great fit for Atlanta, but don't look for GM Alex Anthopoulos to spend the amount of money Giolito is seeking," Owens added. "Starter Frankie Montas would be more on-brand for the Braves as he is a low-risk, high-reward free agent on the market." 

Giolito, 31, declined a mutual option with the Boston Red Sox after posting a 3.41 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 26 starts in 2025.

Montas, 33, has played for four teams since 2022 and made just nine appearances in a New York Mets uniform after suffering a season-ending UCL tear in his right elbow in August. 

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