Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep is dealing with soreness in his throwing elbow, and will visit Dr. Keith Meister tomorrow in Dallas for a consultation, manager Walt Weiss told reporters (including MLB.com’s Mark Bowman). Waldrep has already undergone an MRI that didn’t reveal any structural damage, though the scan did reveal some “loose bodies,” as Weiss described the matter.
“There’s some things in there that shouldn’t be there, I guess. I think it’s fairly common with pitchers,” Weiss said. “I don’t want to elaborate on the loose bodies, because I’m not totally sure, but it probably needs to be dealt with. I don’t know what that looks like as far as procedure or anything, but I guess Dr. Meister will let us know.”
Selected 24th overall in the 2023 draft, Waldrep made his MLB debut less than a year after his draft date, though he was tagged for a 16.71 ERA over his first two starts and seven innings. The righty was then placed on the 15-day injured list due to elbow inflammation and spent about six weeks on the shelf before he was activated and optioned back to Triple-A for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Waldrep didn’t return to the Show until last August, and made a much better impression the second time around. Waldrep started nine of his 10 appearances, delivering a 2.88 ERA, 49.7% grounder rate, 24% strikeout rate, and 9.6% walk rate over 56 1/3 innings. While the lack of control left something to be desired, Waldrep did an excellent job of limiting big contact (4% barrel rate) and both his splitter and 95.9mph sinker were plus pitches.
This solid performance didn’t guarantee Waldrep a spot in the 2026 rotation, as the Braves were seemingly set with a projected top five of Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, and Spencer Schwellenbach. There was also an expectation that Atlanta would pursue more starting pitching this winter in a nod to the injury concerns that their incumbent starters dealt with in both 2025, and throughout their careers.
Though Spring Training has just gotten underway, the injury bug has already made an unwelcome return to the Braves’ camp. Schwellenbach has already been placed on the 60-day IL due to elbow inflammation, and now Waldrep looks to probably be facing some kind of IL stint. Even if the visit to Dr. Meister doesn’t lead to any major developments, the Braves will probably shut Waldrep down until his discomfort lessens, and a season-opening stint on at least the 15-day IL seems likely so Waldrep can complete his pre-season ramp-up.
With Waldrep out of the picture, Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, Didier Fuentes, and minor league signings Martin Perez and Carlos Carrasco remain in the competition for Atlanta’s fifth starter job. On paper, the Braves still have a good amount of rotation depth, though the argument that the team could or should acquire more starting pitching has only gotten louder in the wake of these latest injury concerns.
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said on Friday that the team remained on the hunt for more of a front-of-the-rotation type that could start a playoff game, rather than a pure depth starter. Looking at the list of remaining free agent starters, Lucas Giolito (who has been linked to the Braves on the rumor mill), Max Scherzer, or Zack Littell could potentially fit the bill, though it might be hard seeing any of that trio displace a healthy Sale, Strider, or Lopez as Atlanta’s top choices in a playoff rotation. Obviously, the first concern for the Braves in the wake of a 76-86 season is just to get into the postseason altogether, and a lack of healthy pitching was one of the key reasons behind Atlanta’s disappointing 2025 campaign.
I quit I quit I quit I quit.
This sounds like Snitker knowing AA wasn’t going to get him any pitching again this off-season.
That’s why he quit managing. Depth to the Braves= a warm body with a pulse.
What does it matter….If they did sign someone they would probably already be dealing with some discomfort in their elbow.
If Snitker was still the manager
Why am I envisioning Bryce Elder as our Opening Day starting pitcher???
LMAO. A couple more weeks and yep.
Or Pliny the Elder
Dude sounds like an Agatha Christie murder victim
The injury bug is here
When I get therapy and they asked what’s bothering me and I will say the Atlanta flipping Braves!!!
I just came for “the sky is falling ” comments. I am not disappointed.
Well, let us see how this’ll plays out. it’s just a too familiar beginning of the season. Now, if you aren’t a Braves fan, I can see you saying “ here are all the sky is falling” comments. We’ll see.
49ers=Braves
Great comp lol
The Braves better sign somebody before the entire rotation has sore elbows. You can’t go through a season like last year and learn nothing from it.
Apparently, A.A. can.
If Waldrep needs the surgery, just get it over with now so we don’t waste his potential. I am more worried about Reynaldo López holding up for a full season, given his rotation spot. And, well, Schwell isn’t Schwell enough to start the season because of his injury, so the depth chart looks a little shaky. If the choice is between Giolito and Elder, give me Giolito every day of the week because we need that upside right now.
It really highlights how fragile modern pitching has become compared to the past. I was looking back at the Big Three’s numbers, and they were machines. Maddux averaged 228 innings, Glavine 227, and Smoltz 229 as starters in Atlanta. They rarely broke down either. Smoltz had his elbow issue in his 30s, but he came back to reinvent himself and became the only player in history to join the 200-win, 150-save club. That level of durability just doesn’t exist anymore.
Nowadays, we celebrate a guy for hitting 190 innings like he is a supreme workhorse, and it feels like the bar has been lowered so much. I remember hearing Glavine on a Braves broadcast saying that babying these guys and micromanaging their innings is actually what is leading to more injuries because their arms never build up that old-school endurance. Unless they are actively recovering from something, just let them throw because the current approach clearly isn’t saving anyone.
I also think a lot of young players are playing only baseball in school, rather than multiple sports. Your body needs variety to remain balanced, and they aren’t getting variety.
Pitchers all over Major league baseball are constantly hurt or getting hurt. I am so sick of it. All these pitchers doing the same thing hoping for different results? Gotta throw 150 miles an hour I guess.
Yes, it has been going on for years now. It’s just mind-boggling to me. The injuries and the shortened careers should give everybody pause but it doesn’t. It’s beyond stupid. It’s not pitching. It’s launching a baseball at maximum velocity. And they just keep doing it over and over and over. Whatever.
Totally agree. It’s just such a widespread problem and people seem to have no problem with making it worse. It defies logic. I don’t know what else to say.
Hate to say this, but even in the early 80’s it was the same way. Travelling coaches, even back then, always went for power pitchers. It didn’t matter if you pitched 15 straight shutout innings (as I did once, which is tough be a soft-thrower with 12 year old defense), you would still get looked over for a guy with an 8+ ERA who could throw bullets. It will never change.
BTW – It’s not fastball velocity for most of them. It’s spin rate and always over-throwing the hard breaking stuff. Sliders are just horrible on an arm. Splitters are just about as bad. That being said, if someone can’t read a swing/stance/foot placement, the hard stuff will tend to help them overcome the inability to actually ‘pitch’..
@Shadowpartner-
Younger fans will never know what it was like BITD, when you could actually get attached to pitchers without having to constantly worry about their next pitch being their last pitch for a year and a half or more :-/
King I agree. I go to click on some baseball news in the morning during the season and so many times the first story is somebody getting hurt gonna be out for the rest of his life it seems like.
Atlanta’s big three routinely started 33-36 games per season (until Smoltz’ injury in 1999) and well over 200 innings. They will tell you that was because they didn’t throw max effort every pitch, and because of their between start regimens. I think location and changing speeds could still get batters out without a 100 mph fastball.
Could.
But pitchers with moderate command and only two pitches working well had better toss 97.
Uga stop. I’ve been around for a long time. There is an injury epidemic at this time. Yeah it’s always been great to have a pitcher who could throw 100 miles an hour but you seem to be over analyzing this just a little bit. I don’t know if you haven’t watched baseball in a long time or what but these guys aren’t the same as they were 20-30 years ago. I’m not trying to argue with anybody but injuries in baseball in general are off the charts and there’s really no good reason for it.
Unless a pitcher has elite command, they need to throw 97 at the shoulders, or in the dirt. Which creates arm trouble.
Pitchers hurting their elbows lol. Never ends. Everybody just keep throwing like lunatic maniacs because that’s not the problem.
That genie is never going back in the bottle because modern hitters are too good for everybody to go back to throwing 85-90 mph with far less break.
It’s a problem without a solution.
This was a comment that seems to get it.
While average velocity has gone up from 89 to 94mph, Fastball usage from 2002-2025 went down from 64.4% to 47.9%
Sliders, Cutters, Splitters and now Sweepers have grown in usage and for the first 3 grown in velocity (sweepers too new to have enough data).
Sliders from 12% usage to 22, avg velocity from 80 to 85
Cutters from 1% usage to 8, avg velocity from 86 to 89
Splitters from 2% usage to 4, avg velocity from 82 to 86
Curves and change ups are down in usage but also up in velocity.
Movement and Placement continue to gain attention in pitching labs, no reason to think fastball usage will not continue to diminish.
Throwing all those other pitches that require altered finger placement, wrist movement and arm action at higher velocities than ever could be leading to more injuries than flat out fastball speed.
The article states that Waldrep throws a 96 mph sinker. Now that could just mean a 2 seamer or it could mean he was due for elbow problems.
It does mean that Waldrep throws a 2 seamer. Sean Murphy was on rehab assignment in AAA Gwinnett last season. While there, he suggested to Waldrep that he dial down his 4 seam fastball usage and throw his 2 seamer more. Waldrep improved immediately after taking the advice.
10 months of travel ball for years. The industry encouraging max effort max velocity. The Braves are only the beginning. This is going to be an issue for everyone soon enough.
Oh, and btw, shame on AA for not adding more pitching this off-season. They had plenty of other health question marks.
Sure, shame on him for not, but there are still quality arms available — Zach Littell/Lucas Giolito — not costing a draft pick, Littell rung up 180 IP last year. Giolito has a higher ceiling (and price tag) but also can eat innings. This can still happen, the insanity is seeing Schwellenbach/Waldrep beset by injuries already and NOT doing anything.
Yeah! Scwellenbach was a few days ago, and Waldrep was yesterday. Why haven’t they done something!!!
I’m not a Braves fan, but Littel is the obvious choice here. Giolito ended last year injured. Littel eats innings.
AA said the other day they’re interested in finding a playoff SP??? that makes no sense. They have plenty of TOR injury risks. They need a SP that’s better than Elder with no injury risk, no?
That’s just AA double-talk considering this is the same team that had rookie AJSS starting a playoff game vs. SD in ’24 and got lit-up. A ‘playoff SP’ for this team in recent years is anyone with a pulse and live arm.
They have to sign somebody…right?
Who is there?
Giolito and Scherzer. Also could swing a trade somewhere.
Yeah they should sign someone. But they should’ve sent reinforcements in ‘24’and ‘25 at the trade deadline and they didn’t. This is not a winning franchise, as much as it pains me to say. They don’t care as long as the “battey” is filled with clueless fans that think we “just didnt have enough pitching” to compete woth LA, it’s maddening…..
Not if you’re AA. It’ll be something along the lines of a scrap heap pickup, and/or a comment along the lines of “we like our internal options. It gives guys a chance to step up.” #residentexcusemaker
Any reasonable hope I had is being tested.
And it begins….
Too bad. Especially since Gallen was available for the entire offseason.
The DBacks need all the pitching they can get
This sucks
Um hello, OOF Department?
Gallen kicking himself for not waiting to sign a couple more days…
He made it a point in saying that he didn’t want to hold out for “a few million more” rather than already getting into camp and most likely in familiar (read: comfortable) surroundings.
But what about a couple of million more for a couple of extra years, maybe even with an opt out or two?
The Braves don’t do opt outs. They use the mutual option strategy w/buyouts.
Nah, Gallen was too expensive and would have cost draft picks. Atlanta is still on a budget.
Maybe, but desperation can be a hell of a drug.
At least Littell and Giolito are still out there?
This team is a dumpster fire. 72-90.
Braves arent the Rockies
I really miss Max Fried
Remember when everyone said not re-signing Fried was a good move because of his forearms strains and injury prone?…maybe its just the Braves, not everyone else
Oh look. Braves 2024/Braves 2025 has returned from being banned for trolling and childish name calling. O/U on you lasting longer than a month before getting another justifiable banning? Under.
I’m glad Gallen signed before this happened.
In the comment section for Schwellenbach’s injury people were hoping it meant Waldron would make the rotation. Now he is out. Rough for Braves fans. The team has some depth at least.
NOT quality, depth, no.
They have the least SP depth of any playoff contender in either league.
On the bright side, this means that Schwellenbach, Smith-Shawver and Waldrep won’t be included in any trades for a starter.
Never a good sign when Dr Meister has to be involved. Even a surgery for loose bodies would mean missing most or all of the 2026 season at this point.
It’s a good thing AA didn’t have Waldrep in his master plans of SP options. More importantly, he is extremely confident in his “big 4” to fill out the chunk of his rotation. Maybe Waldreps’ injury will cause him to show a more serious sense of urgency! FFS! He needs to get his a$$ to work and ADD TO THIS QUESTIONABLE SP ROTATION, already!!!!
That would be totally out of character. On the other hand, him making excuses is more in line with he does. He never heard the adage about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Littel and Giolito are ready to pounce.
Talking about postseason rotation is stupid if they can’t get there in the first place. Hard to believe they’re willing to gamble on that with such a fragile group. You can never have enough pitching.
Had all winter to address it; the Braves have a certain annual amount they will pay a player and don’t exceed it this will never be able to be competitive in the free agent market….and trades? doesn’t want to give up talent in the minors. He is still expecting Santa to come Christmas morning miraculously and drop down some SP
Typical Braves FO. They literally might be the most delusional organization in baseball. They talk about playoffs like it’s a fundamental right that they’ll be there.
As much as I hate the Dodgers even they don’t talk about the playoffs so nonchalantly like AA does.
Braves need a hard wake up call. Last year didn’t do it and honestly I’m partially hoping this year is also a train wreck. The worst thing that could happen is they play mediocre again and linger near the final WC spot. If that happens it’ll just feed their delusion this team can win a WS
If they aren’t playing like a top 3 team I hope they are a bottom 3 team so AA can wake up and start the rebuild that needs to happen.
…….”partially hoping”…….? You’ve been saying they needed to rebuild for the last 3 years. You’re not fooling anybody here w/your new screen name——-Braves 2024. Braves 2025. New name, same rant.
3 run homer time .
Dude’s been throwing a high effort splitter since high school. Just an absolute elbow killer for pitchers that young.
Perez and Carrasco would make it through a nuclear war.
None of this matters. Baseball is ending after this season anyway
You are correct sir
Long neck ice cold beer has never broke my heart. But those braves have drove me to drink…
Unless he too needs surgery.
The unfortunate reality is you can’t expect teams to “go all in” when they have no realistic chance of competing with the dodgers. Teams are going to do the bare minimum to not greatly impact attendance. Nothing more.
JR Ritchie.