Atlanta Braves left-hander Joey Wentz will miss the entire 2026 season after tearing his right ACL during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The injury occurred Sunday when Wentz was covering first base on a bunt play. Initial optimism about avoiding serious injury gave way to confirmation of the ligament tear after further testing.

Wentz, 28, entered the game as a reliever in the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on third. While attempting to cover first base on a bunt by Taylor Walls, he stepped awkwardly on the bag and collided with the batter. The Braves had hoped Wentz would compete for a rotation spot after he posted a 5-7 record with a 5.60 ERA for three teams last season, including a 3-6 mark with a 4.92 ERA in 14 appearances for Atlanta.

The injury compounds Atlanta's pitching woes, as starters Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep are already on the 60-day injured list following elbow surgeries this spring. Wentz's absence leaves a significant gap in the Braves' pitching plans heading into the regular season.