MLB insider links Braves to Lucas Giolito amid injuries

Days before the 2026 MLB season begins, the Atlanta Braves suddenly find themselves thin in their starting rotation after Spencer Strider was placed on the injured list with an oblique strain.

Strider joins Spencer Schwellenbach and Hunter Waldrep, who are also on the IR after undergoing elbow cleanup surgery. 

Looking to avoid another season of mediocrity, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal linked the Braves to free-agent pitcher Lucas Giolito.

“If I’m a Braves fan, I’m freaking out a bit,” Rosenthal said. “It seems to me that they are the team that should sign Lucas Giolito, and he's still out there. I don't know exactly what they are waiting for, other than maybe the price to drop."

Giolito coming off strong return season

Giolito had a resurgent year in 2025 after missing all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. With the Boston Red Sox, he compiled a 10-4 record with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts.

Giolito was expected to play a key role in the Red Sox’s playoff push before a late-season flexor strain forced him to miss the entire postseason.

Fortunately for the 31-year-old former All-Star, the injury didn't require surgery. Giolito said his elbow felt “100 percent fine” days after the initial diagnosis and some rehab work, which he describes as a “freak injury.”

“There’s no injury, or whatever injury there was is gone. It was weird, freak thing that popped up at the worst possible time, not only for the Red Sox but for myself and in general,” Giolito said.

If so, Giolito could provide needed stability to an Atlanta rotation in need of reinforcements until its starters return from IL. As it stands, the Braves' only reliable starter is 36-year-old Chris Sale, who has dealt with his own injuries in his career.

If the Braves hope to return to the playoffs and compete with a loaded New York Mets roster in the National League East, Giolito could help push them back into contention.