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Hurston Waldrep Nearing Return to Major Leagues?
MLB.com's Mark Bowman thinks that Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep could be the best candidate for the team's open starting rotation spot after they optioned right-hander J.R. Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday. Waldrep has recovered from right-elbow surgery and threw 71 pitches in 4 2/3 innings for Gwinnett on Sunday. The 24-year-old former 24th overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida has allowed six earned runs on seven hits with 11 walks and 13 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings pitched in five starts so far in 2026 with Gwinnett, the rookie-level Florida Complex League, and at Double-A Columbus. In his 10 outings (nine starts) for the Braves last year before he was shut down with elbow issues, Waldrep went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 55:22 K:BB in 56 1/3 frames. If fully healthy, Waldrep could stick in Atlanta's rotation for the rest of the season, and he should start attracting more interest off the waiver wire. He's currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
