'It's definitely the culture here': How the Braves keep moving forward -- no matter what gets in their way

Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com. Just over two weeks into the MLB season, the Atlanta Braves are exactly where they're expected to be: atop the National League East standings. On Saturday, a team news release confirmed every Braves fan's worst fear: Their ace needed season-ending elbow surgery, leaving Atlanta to navigate the rest of 2024 without the pitcher who set the franchise strikeout record a year ago.