Braves' Wentz Tears ACL, Out for 2026 Season

Atlanta Braves lefthander Joey Wentz suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a spring training game on Sunday, sidelining him for the entire 2026 season and further straining the team's pitching depth.

The 28-year-old Wentz was competing for a rotation spot when he injured himself covering first base against the Tampa Bay Rays in North Port, Florida. With two outs in the fifth inning and a runner on third, Rays infielder Taylor Walls attempted a bunt. Wentz fielded the ball and stepped awkwardly on the bag, colliding with Walls. He was carted off the field, and although initial tests suggested he might have avoided serious harm, further evaluation confirmed the ACL tear. The Braves announced the diagnosis on Monday and plan to transfer Wentz to the 60-day injured list.

This marks the latest blow to Atlanta's starting rotation, which has already lost two young right-handers to surgery. Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep underwent procedures earlier this spring to remove loose bodies from their throwing elbows and were placed on the 60-day injured list. Both are expected to miss significant time, leaving the Braves to rely on a thinned group of...