3 Braves Pitchers Who Must Step up Amid Cole Hamels Injury News

News is circulating Monday about Cole Hamels that is bad news for the Atlanta Braves. He reportedly has no timetable to return and right now it appears he may be out through April at the least. That means other pitchers on the team must step up in the absence of the club's third-highest earner. Here are a few hurlers who will be called upon to shoulder some of the load.

3. Sean Newcomb

Atlanta Braves LHP Sean Newcomb / Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Sean Newcomb was moved into the bullpen after struggling at the back-end of Atlanta's rotation last year. He excelled in relief, but the injury to Hamels may force him back into a starter's role. Newcomb has made 53 career starts, including 30 in 2018, so he may be called upon to shore up the rotation in Hamels' stead.

2. Bryse Wilson

Atlanta Braves RHP Bryse Wilson / G Fiume/Getty Images

Bryse Wilson struggled in his taste of the majors last year, but he'll surely be given another go at it in 2020 based on his pedigree as one of the game's more highly-touted prospects. He's impressed early on in spring, and if he can continue to succeed during the preseason he may just be able to fill out the Braves' starting rotation while Hamels is on the mend.

1. Felix Hernandez

Atlanta Braves SP Felix Hernandez / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

King Felix left Seattle after a remarkable tenure with the Mariners, which unfortunately fizzled out at the end. Well, hoping to bounce back, Hernandez has landed in Atlanta, and may be called upon earlier than expected following the injury to Hamels. The experienced started was once one of baseball's most feared pitchers, and if he can re-capture even a shadow of his past form he would be a great addition to Atlanta's rotation.