Atlanta Braves Acquire Erick Fedde as Rotation Injuries Mount

The Atlanta Braves acquired right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade finalized on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The move serves as an emergency measure for an Atlanta rotation that has lost all five of its original opening-day starters to the 60-day injured list. To accommodate Fedde on the 40-man roster, the team transferred pitcher Grant Holmes to the 60-day injured list following his placement on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation.

Why the Braves Traded for Erick Fedde

Atlanta sought immediate pitching reinforcements after a season defined by a historic wave of injuries. According to the Associated Press, every member of the Braves’ opening-day starting rotation is currently sidelined. The team entered the transaction with a 44-60 record, trailing in the National League wild-card race by 12 games.

Fedde, 32, arrives in Atlanta with extensive experience, having made at least 27 starts in each of the past four seasons. During the 2025 campaign, he recorded a 3-10 record with a 5.22 ERA across 20 starts. Manager Brian Snitker acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating, “We’re going to figure out a way to piece this thing together. That’s all you can do ’cause the games aren’t going to stop because we lost our rotation.”

The Toll of Injuries on the Atlanta Rotation

The Braves’ pitching depth has been depleted by a series of long-term injuries spanning the entire season. The following starters are currently on the 60-day injured list:

* Reynaldo López: Sidelined since March 29 with shoulder inflammation that required surgery.
* AJ Smith-Shawver: Out since May 29 following Tommy John surgery for an elbow strain.
* Chris Sale: Fractured his rib cage on June 21 while diving for a ground ball.
* Spencer Schwellenbach: Suffered a broken elbow on July 2.
* Grant Holmes: Transferred to the 60-day IL on July 27 with right elbow inflammation.

Combined, these five pitchers have accounted for 63 starts throughout the season. To manage the active roster in the wake of the Holmes injury, the club recalled reliever Daysbel Hernández from Triple-A Gwinnett.

What Happens Next for the Braves

The Braves face the remainder of the season with a significantly altered pitching staff. While the team remains in a difficult position within the wild-card standings, the front office has committed to maintaining a competitive standard.

“We’re professional,” Snitker said regarding the team’s outlook. “We’re getting paid to do this. We signed a contract. So every day, we’re going to go out and give it our best shot and win the game.” The team now looks to Fedde to provide stability in the rotation as they attempt to navigate the final months of the season without their original starting core.