Over the past few seasons, the Atlanta Braves have battled ongoing pitching concerns, especially when it comes to keeping their starting rotation healthy. The 2025 campaign, in particular, felt disjointed as injuries constantly disrupted the staff.
That trend has carried into this season to some extent, though Atlanta has managed to push through the adversity better this time around. The latest setback involves young right-hander Hurston Waldrep, who has now added to the team’s list of pitching injuries.
“The Braves’ rotation took another hit on Sunday when Hurston Waldrep left his Triple-A Gwinnett start due to discomfort in his right arm. Manager Walt Weiss said ahead of Monday’s game against the Padres that Waldrep will undergo further evaluation this week,” MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported. “The 24-year-old pitcher had arthroscopic surgery in February to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.”
There’s still no clear determination on whether Waldrep’s season is over. However, Braves Today’s Lindsay Crosby noted on Saturday that the former first-round pick had already cleared out his locker at Triple-A Gwinnett, adding to the uncertainty.
“Hurston Waldrep was at Gwinnett Field clearing out his locker and gathering his belongings, and teammates were seen checking on his elbow during conversations. It feels like a strong indication he may not return this season,” Crosby wrote.
While there’s still no official confirmation, Crosby’s observation suggests Waldrep could be done for the year. That would mark a tough ending to a campaign that already began with his recovery from elbow surgery to remove loose bodies.
Waldrep, the 24th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, signed for just under $3 million, agreeing to a $2,997,500 deal after being selected in the first round.
Waldrep’s 2026 campaign has been derailed by injuries. After undergoing surgery in the offseason, he now appears to be dealing with another setback that could keep him sidelined for the remainder of the year.
If his season is indeed over, the focus will turn to recovery and getting fully healthy ahead of 2027. The Braves will be counting on him to return at full strength next season.
It’s another tough blow for Atlanta’s pitching staff. Waldrep, a highly promising young arm, was expected to build on his strong finish in 2025, but injuries have prevented him from taking that next step in 2026.
