The Braves have claimed left-hander Ken Waldichuk off the Athletics’ waiver wire, as announced by both teams. Infielder Vidal Brujan was designated for assignment to clear space on Atlanta’s 40-man roster.
The A’s designated Waldichuk for assignment on December 22 in a corresponding move for the Jeff McNeil trade, and Waldichuk then had an extended stay in DFA limbo through the unofficial holiday roster freeze. The southpaw’s situation has now finally been resolved (by coincidence) on Waldichuk’s 28th birthday, and he’ll celebrate by heading to Atlanta looking for a fresh start to his career.
Once a top-100 ranked prospect, Waldichuk posted a 5.28 ERA over 175 2/3 innings for the then-Oakland team during the 2022-23 seasons. While the results didn’t stand out, there was hope Waldichuk could continue to develop into a rotation piece for the Athletics, but a Tommy John surgery then interrupted the lefty’s career. The May 2024 procedure kept Waldichuk from pitching at all in 2024, and he returned to toss 54 innings of minor league ball last season. There was clearly still some rust, as Waldichuk had an 8.65 ERA and a 15.9% walk rate over 51 Triple-A frames.
Waldichuk is entering the first of four arbitration-eligible seasons as a Super Two player, and he had already agreed to a $825K salary for the 2026 season. The Braves would therefore have plenty of control over Waldichuk if he can develop into a late bloomer as a starter or reliever on Atlanta’s pitching staff, and it makes for a low-cost risk on the team’s part.
Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos is traditionally aggressive in taking fliers on former top prospects, and Waldichuk will take the roster space of another such player in Brujan. The payroll impact is basically even, as Brujan had avoided arbitration (in the first of three arb years) by agreeing to a split contract worth $825K for time spent in the majors.
Brujan was a regular on top-100 lists during his time in the Rays’ farm system, but he simply hasn’t hit at the MLB level. Over 645 plate appearances in the Show, Brujan has batted only .199/.267/.276 with five home runs, and his career has taken a journeyman’s path. Since Tampa Bay dealt Brujan to Miami in November 2023, Brujan has suited up for four different teams — the Marlins in 2024, and then the Cubs, Orioles, and Braves all during the 2025 campaign. Atlanta claimed him off Baltimore’s waiver wire in August, and Brujan’s .268/.362/.317 slash line over 47 PA for the Braves represents one of the better offensive stretches of his career.
Now entering his age-28 season, Brujan could still appeal to yet another team intrigued by his past blue-chip status, though is out of minor league options. Initially a middle infielder, Brujan has experience at second base, shortstop, third base, and all three outfield positions as he has tried to increase his marketability by becoming a utilityman. With over three years of MLB service time, Brujan would have the ability to reject an outright assignment if he clears waivers, though he would have to surrender his 2026 salary in re-entering free agency.
Dang I wanted the Padres to claim him.
Roster churn! Roster churn!
Damn I was counting on Brujan to log a few innings as a pitcher in blowout games this year.
He still might, just for some other team.
Guess he wasn’t that Vidal.
He might be though with a wicked left hook in a Bru-ha-jan.
I guess Brujan was just insurance in case they failed to sign Kim. I still think Brujan had a lot of upside for the bench.
Puzzling move. Nothing results from Nick Allen trade. Money for Nothing, and the Clicks for Free!
They got Dubon for Allen, not Brujan.
I wish we got Brujan instead.
Or maybe not.
I think you are thinking of Dubon
How much chuk could a waldichuk chuk if a waldichuk could chuk chuk?
Rockies should try Brujan. Can’t hurt… they should have tried Wldichuk also.
Crazy that the A’s, a team supposedly in need of pitching, let’s Waldichuk walk because they couldn’t find a roster spot. Maybe they really do need all seven of those outfielders and Carlos Cortes is the real deal, not a 28yr old one year wonder who broke out in the PCL.
i was hoping that Waldichuk would slip thru unclaimed and A’s could bring him back and see if any improvement as recovery time increased
I hope Brujan finds a place somewhere, but I am not sad to see him go as a Braves fan. Just didn’t need him logging innings, especially at the expense of Eli White, who I think is a very solid 5th OF/SB/Defensive replacement type..
It will be interesting to see if the extra recovery time and full off-season of non-recovery type work will be a benefit. Excellent low risk pickup for Atlanta, especially given some of their starting rotation will be going through the same recovery in 2026 that Waldichuk did in 2025.
I still think there is one more ‘better than average player’ move coming this off-season for the Braves.
It’s like Grant Holmes all over again. We put in all the time and effort to develop an arm and let another organization reap the benefits at zero cost. Watch Waldy put 2 WAR in that rotation next year.
As other teams lead the league in acquiring top talent via trades or free agency, the Braves lead the league in signing castoffs to minor league deals. AA must have entered many a contest as a youngster throwing spaghetti against the wall to see if any of it stuck. Doesn’t help that management keeps his hands tied behind his back. I thought all the sacrificing last year was to make this year a reset year against the tax threshold…..or so the story went. Where’s that #2 or #3 starter that was promised when more than half our staff is on the shelf AGAIN this year?
“Well, if we stay healthy, we really figure to have a formidable staff this year.” Hope is always the best plan for success….some fool themselves are attempt to fool others into believing. And meanwhile, one by one, good ones become fewer in nature to acquire. (Against all odds) “Go Braves!”
The off-season is not over. I still see another starter coming in. The team is spending money in case you missed it, but it’s never going to be for a starting pitcher on a long term deal.
“Other teams lead the league in acquiring top talent via trades or free agency, the Braves lead the league in signing castoffs to minor league deals” —Vidial was going to be the 26th man which is why he was on a split contract. The pitcher the Braves picked up has zero options so he has to blow them away at spring or he will be released. This is the back up of the back up kinda deal.. This is what you want to complain about? No the ‘where is the no 2 or 3 starter they promised!–hope is the best plan!” Zero MLB teams ever had their starting 5 starters on the 60 IL at the same time. till the Braves last year. Never happened in the sport . But signing or trading for a 2nd or 3rd starter –then we don’t have to worry? AA is throwing spaghetti against the walls? In regards to the 26th man and lotto type pitchers coming into their 3rd year from TJ picked up for nothing? Like Wentz and Holmes and Lee? Yeah, ‘Go Braves’ against all odds? Be a flipping Pirates fan or so many other choices and the Braves with a top 5 payroll roll the dice with a lotto guy and release a 26th man at best player….ahhhhhh. The Braves may or may not pick up another starter–the team has been active in signing free agents and trades and churning lotto types at the back end of the roster as well. Go Braves.