Former Mets Pitching Coach Faces Uphill Battle With Injury-Plagued Braves

Jeremy Hefner must work his magic again as Atlanta's rotation is decimated by injuries before Opening Day.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange overlapping to create a sense of dynamic movement and uncertainty, reflecting the injury issues facing the Braves' rotation.A cubist interpretation of the challenges facing the Braves' pitching staff as they navigate a wave of injuries before the season begins.NYC Today

After helping revive the careers of pitchers like Sean Manaea and Luis Severino as the New York Mets' pitching coach in 2024, Jeremy Hefner now faces an even tougher challenge with the Atlanta Braves. With key starters like Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep all sidelined by injuries, Hefner must get production out of a rotation featuring aging veteran Chris Sale, the injury-prone Reynaldo Lopez, and several unproven young arms.

Why it matters

Hefner's ability to maximize the potential of his pitching staff will be crucial to the Braves' hopes of returning to the playoffs in 2026 after a disappointing 2025 campaign. If he can work his magic again, Hefner could cement his reputation as one of the game's top pitching coaches. But if the Braves struggle, it may be difficult to pin the blame on Hefner given the significant injuries his rotation has already suffered.

The details

The Braves have lost several key starters, including Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, and Hurston Waldrep, in addition to other arms who could have contributed either in the rotation or bullpen. This has left Hefner with a rotation featuring Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, and Jose Suarez - a group that is short on proven reliability and health. Sale is 37 years old and coming off Tommy John surgery, while Lopez, Holmes, Elder, and Suarez all have significant question marks surrounding their ability to provide consistent, quality innings.

  • The Braves will go into Opening Day without several key injured players, including their starting shortstop and two starting pitchers.
  • Hefner joined the Braves' coaching staff following his dismissal from the Mets after the 2025 season.

The players

Jeremy Hefner

The former New York Mets pitching coach who is now tasked with reviving the injury-plagued Atlanta Braves' pitching staff.

Chris Sale

The 37-year-old veteran starting pitcher for the Braves who is coming off Tommy John surgery and trying to recapture his Cy Young form from 2024.

Reynaldo Lopez

The Braves' No. 2 starter who has struggled with injuries, missing most of the 2025 season due to right shoulder surgery.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If no one else gets hurt before Friday the Atlanta Braves will go into OD without -Sean Murphy- 1/2 starting catcher - 15MHSK- starting short stop- 20MSpencer Strider- SP2/3- 20MJurickson Profar- DH- 15MJoe Jimenez- Set Up- 9MSchwellenbach- SP2/3 Waldrep- SP4/5…”

— MattOlsonsBurner, Twitter User

What’s next

The Braves will be closely monitoring the health of their pitching staff as they approach Opening Day, with Hefner tasked with getting the most out of the patchwork rotation he has been handed.

The takeaway

Hefner's ability to work his magic and maximize the potential of his injury-ravaged pitching staff will be crucial to the Braves' hopes of returning to the playoffs in 2026. If he can pull it off, he'll cement his reputation as one of the game's top pitching coaches, but if the Braves struggle, it may be hard to pin the blame on him given the significant injuries his rotation has already suffered.