​The Braves announced bad news involving three starting pitchers before their game against the Colorado Rockies. GettyHurston Waldrep in one of three Atlanta Braves pitchers whose season officially ended Friday due to injury. GettyThe Atlanta Braves, weather permitting, open a three-game series against the National League West cellar-dwelling Colorado Rockies on Friday at Truist Park. The Braves have won four straight coming into the series against the 52-82 Rockies who are tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the worst record in baseball. The Braves will look to seize the opportunity to expand their five-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East by beating up on the hapless Rockies.But any optimistic mood was darkened before the game, when Braves manager Walt Weiss announced dire news on three of Atlanta’s top starting pitchers all in one statement.Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach are both headed for new elbow surgeries, and manager Walt Weiss said Spencer Strider is unlikely to pitch again in 2026. Weiss delivered all three updates to the media in the same pregame statement.Waldrep will have Tommy John surgery, and Schwellenbach will have a follow-up procedure after a flare-up of the elbow fracture that first sidelined him last year, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Longtime national baseball writer Barrett Sallee confirmed both operations and relayed Weiss’ assessment that Strider’s return this season is unlikely.COLORADO ROCKIES STARTING LINEUPSP: Tomoyuki Sugano (RHP) • 12-7, 4.96 ERAAugust 28, 2026 • Truist Park, Atlanta, GA • 7:15 PM EDT • Rockies at Braves#PlayerPosAVGSLG1Jake McCarthyLF.290.4752Cole CarriggCF.265.4483Hunter GoodmanC.252.5484TJ Rumfield1B.289.4415Willi Castro3B.262.4256Mickey MoniakDH.253.5157Connor Norby2B.224.3668Zac VeenRF.200.4809Ezequiel TovarSS.210.338Lineups confirmed. Season stats shown (AVG / SLG).Atlanta Braves’ Waldrep, Schwellenbach Facing SurgeryWaldrep, Atlanta’s first-round draft pick out of Florida in 2023, broke out in 2025 with a 2.88 ERA over 56 1/3 innings before a February MRI found loose bodies in his elbow. Doctors initially hoped a cleanup procedure would settle the issue, but the issue persisted. Tommy John surgery typically sidelines starting pitchers well into the following season, pushing Waldrep’s return outlook toward 2028.Schwellenbach has been one of the sport’s steadier young arms since debuting in 2024, posting a 3.23 ERA across 38 career starts. He fractured his right elbow last June, had loose bodies removed in February and spent the summer rebuilding arm strength, throwing bullpens by late July with a plan to face hitters and build up, according to MLB.com. Friday’s news means a second operation on the same elbow, with his path back even less certain than it was a week ago.ATLANTA BRAVES STARTING LINEUPSP: Grant Holmes (RHP) • 8-5, 3.64 ERAAugust 28, 2026 • Truist Park, Atlanta, GA • 7:15 PM EDT • Rockies at Braves#PlayerPosAVGS