Across Major League Baseball, few teams have been hit by injuries as hard as the Atlanta Braves. As a fan of the game, it’s tough to watch the Braves struggle with setbacks that have consistently put them in difficult spots over the past few seasons.
With numerous injuries affecting both their offense and pitching staff, Atlanta may find itself in the market for a starting pitcher or two by the trade deadline. If things go according to plan and the Braves remain in playoff contention, the front office will need to make a move.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller suggests that one potential trade target could be left-hander Andrew Heaney, who had a strong stint with the Dodgers in 2022. “The trio of Strider, Chris Sale, and Spencer Schwellenbach could be elite when healthy,” Miller wrote. “But relying on arms like Grant Holmes, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Bryce Elder to round out the rotation isn’t ideal—especially for a team that’s gotten off to a rough start.”
Miller expects Atlanta to stay in the postseason race through July, but also sees them likely looking for at least one more starter. While they may not go after a top-tier arm, targeting a solid mid-rotation rental seems probable unless their urgency grows in the coming weeks.
Though Heaney’s overall career has been up and down, he was excellent during his time with the Dodgers, finishing with a 3.10 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 16 games. Early in the 2025 season, he’s looked strong again, posting a 1.50 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 12 innings—production that would make him a valuable addition to the Braves’ rotation.
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