Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves pitching prospect, to make MLB debut - ESPN

The Atlanta Braves have recalled one of their top prospects from Double-A to open the third contest of their four-game home series against the Washington Nationals.

Atlanta right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach will make his major league debut Wednesday night after the Braves selected his contract from Double-A Mississippi. Right-hander Jimmy Herget was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Schwellenbach, 23, was Atlanta's second-round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska and had Tommy John surgery immediately after the draft. He began this season in High Class-A Rome and was promoted to Mississippi two weeks ago.

In eight minor league starts this season, Schwellenbach was 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA. He struck out 51 in 45 innings and did not allow a run in 13 innings with Mississippi.

Schwellenbach was rated this year by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel as the No. 6 prospect in the Braves organization.

Atlanta has had trouble finding a suitable replacement for Spencer Strider, who made two starts before suffering a season-ending elbow injury and undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Braves tried Bryce Elder (five starts), Darius Vines (two) and Ray Kerr, AJ Smith-Shawver and Allan Winans (one start apiece) as a replacement with little success.

Smith-Shawver pitched 4⅓ scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs in his opportunity last week but left with a strained left oblique and wound up on the 15-day injured list.

Atlanta's Max Fried, who pitched eight scoreless innings Tuesday, had a chance to meet Schwellenbach before the game.

«I didn't have much time to talk to him, but it's a special day for him,» Fried said. «He's worked really hard to get here, and a lot of people think he's talented enough to be here and contribute.