MIRACLE REHAB: Braves Insider Confirms Grant Holmes Now Classified As ‘Healthy’ Pitcher After UCL Scare.vc

ATLANTA, GA—In a development that has sent a massive wave of relief and excitement through the Braves organization and its fanbase, sources close to the team’s medical staff have confirmed that starting pitcher Grant Holmes is now officially being treated as a “healthy” pitcher for the start of the 2026 offseason.

This designation represents a monumental triumph for the 29-year-old right-hander, who suffered a partial UCL tear in late July 2025 that prematurely ended his breakout season (4-9 record, 3.99 ERA over 115 innings).

The Decision That Defined the Offseason

The real story lies in the decision that averted disaster. Facing a potential season-ending Tommy John surgery, Holmes opted to pursue an aggressive, non-surgical rehabilitation route—a high-risk choice that could have led to a full procedure if the tear didn’t heal.

Insiders reveal that the success of this non-surgical approach has stunned doctors and exceeded the most optimistic recovery timetables.

“There have been zero setbacks. He’s throwing off the mound with velocity and confidence,” a Braves source stated. “The front office is operating under the assumption that he is a viable rotation piece for Spring Training. It’s an absolute miracle, and it completely changes their pitching depth.”

The Roster Ramifications

The “healthy” status of Holmes is more than just a medical update; it’s a massive, unexpected boost to the Braves’ rotation depth, which was decimated by injuries in 2025.

• Financial Flexibility: By not needing to budget for a replacement starter to cover a full year of Holmes’ absence, the Braves suddenly have millions in payroll flexibility to address other roster holes (like the bullpen or Designated Hitter position) in free agency.
• A “New” Ace: Holmes’ successful rehab gives Atlanta an experienced, cost-controlled pitcher who, at times in 2025, showed flashes of brilliance, including a career-high 15-strikeout game. He immediately slots back into the rotation discussion alongside Chris Sale and the newly recovering Reynaldo López.

Holmes is reportedly already on a ramp-up program and is expected to have a normal, full offseason of training, allowing him to enter Spring Training without restrictions—a piece of unexpected good news that could be the most impactful “acquisition” of the Braves’ winter.