Walt Weiss confirmed Bryce Elder, Lane Thomas and Martin Perez are all unavailable for the wild card series, with no timelines given for any of the three

Braves lose three players for Wild Card

by Miracle Dimwesh

Sep 29, 2026

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss (22)

Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves will begin their postseason run without three players who had been dealing with injuries late in the regular season.

Manager Walt Weiss confirmed that Bryce Elder, Lane Thomas and Martín Pérez are all unavailable for the National League Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Weiss did not provide a timeline for when any of the three could return.

The Braves open the best-of-three series Tuesday at Truist Park after finishing the regular season with a 94-68 record and winning the NL East.

Elder underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery on Sept. 8 to remove bone fragments. The right-hander recently threw a live batting practice session, but he will not be available for the Wild Card Series. He finished the regular season 8-8 with a 4.11 ERA in 26 starts.

Thomas has been out since Sept. 10 with a left intercostal strain. The outfielder was acquired at the trade deadline and had been working his way back before the postseason.

Pérez was placed on the injured list Sept. 24 with lower back inflammation. The veteran left-hander also will miss the Wild Card Series as the Braves prepare to face Philadelphia.

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss (22)

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Atlanta will rely on the players available as it begins the postseason against a Phillies team that finished 88-74. The Braves earned the No. 3 seed in the National League, while Philadelphia enters as the No. 6 seed.

With Elder, Thomas and Pérez unavailable, Atlanta enters the opening round with several roster spots affected by injuries. The Braves will now turn their attention to the players available for the series as they begin their attempt to advance to the National League Division Series.