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Martin Perez Offers Matchup-Based Streaming Appeal on the Waiver Wire
Atlanta Braves left-hander Martin Perez has quietly been a key part of his team's success so far in 2026, recording a 5-3 record with a 2.90 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts across 62 innings (14 games). The 35-year-old has been used as both a reliever and a starter this season, but now he's made five consecutive starts dating back to May 19 and looks to have established himself as a member of the Braves rotation. Perez's 20.8% strikeout rate in 2026 is the highest mark of his 15-year MLB career, so he does not offer much swing-and-miss upside for fantasy managers. Still, the veteran generates a ton of ground balls (46.7% ground ball rate) and limits home runs (0.87 HR/9). He also should have plenty of chances to pick up wins while pitching in Atlanta. Perez's numbers may regress a bit from where they currently sit, but he could still be a viable streaming option for fantasy managers in the right matchups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braves Transfer Spencer Strider to 60-Day Injured List
The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they transferred right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) to the 60-day injured list. Although Strider's MRI exam ruled out ligament damage in his right elbow, he was shut down for at least four weeks due to right-elbow inflammation. The move to put the 27-year-old on the 60-day IL will allow veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco to rejoin the big-league roster. Strider had Tommy John surgery in college and an internal-brace procedure on his elbow in 2024, which limited him to just two starts. He got a late start to the 2026 campaign due to an oblique injury as well, which is why Strider has only made eight starts (39 innings) so far this year. He's gone 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA (5.35 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks. The Braves are hoping that Strider will be able to help them in the second half, but he might not be ready to return until late August, leaving him little time to help fantasy managers the rest of the way. The Clemson alumni is rostered in 76% of Yahoo leagues, but that number will continue to drop through the summer months.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Spencer Strider to be Shut Down From Throwing for Four Weeks
After his consultation with Dr. Keith Meister on Monday, Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will be shut down from throwing for four weeks and then undergo a follow-up MRI exam, the team announced. If his follow-up MRI is clear, Strider will begin a throwing progression. Strider was pulled from his most recent start on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets with inflammation in his right elbow, and he was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day. The Braves and fantasy managers were very concerned, considering the 27-year-old only made two starts in 2024 before needing an internal-brace procedure. Strider also previously has had Tommy John surgery, so any signs of elbow trouble for him are a major red flag. He isn't dealing with any ligament damage, so he'll try to build back up for a second-half return if his elbow heals well over the next month. In a best-case scenario, he could rejoin the Braves' starting rotation at some point in August. The former fourth-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson University has struggled to a 5.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 46:20 K:BB in 39 innings across eight starts in 2026, and he'll be a huge question mark if he can return in the second half.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
JR Ritchie a Waiver-Wire Target With Move to Rotation?
Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander JR Ritchie will make the start on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants at Truist Park, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ritchie, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, allowed 15 runs (13 earned) on 21 hits (four homers) while walking 16 and striking out 21 in 25 2/3 innings over five starts earlier in the year for Atlanta before being sent to Triple-A Gwinnett. The 22-year-old former 35th overall pick in 2022 recently returned to the big-league roster in a relief role, and he pitched five scoreless innings of relief with two walks and a strikeout on June 12 against the division-rival New York Mets. Despite Ritchie's rough greeting in MLB as a starter earlier this year, he'll be worth considering for rotation depth in deeper leagues now that he's set to take the starting spot of injured right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow), at least in the short term. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is a ground-ball pitcher with a deep arsenal, but he can also generate plenty of swings and misses while attacking the strike zone. Right now, he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Spencer Strider's MRI Exam Rules Out Ligament Damage in his Elbow
Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider's (elbow) MRI exam did not show any ligament damage, just inflammation, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It's excellent news for a pitcher who made only two starts in 2024 and eventually needed an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. There aren't any current concerns that Strider will need another elbow surgery. The 27-year-old's visit on Monday with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed his surgery in 2024, was just to indicate what Strider's next steps will be. By Tuesday, Bowman says that we will have a better idea of when Strider could resume throwing. There was definitely some concern that Strider would need another season-ending elbow injury after his velocity plummeted and he was pulled from his start early on June 12 against the New York Mets. He is on the 15-day injured list and most likely won't rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation before the mid-July All-Star break, but he will return this season. Fantasy managers need to hang onto the former fourth-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson University. Strider has gone 4-2 this year with an elevated 5.31 ERA (5.36 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP, but his 27.9% strikeout rate gives hope for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Braves Place Spencer Strider on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
The Atlanta Braves announced on Saturday that they placed right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with right-elbow inflammation and recalled right-hander Anthony Molina from the minors in a corresponding move. Strider was pulled from his outing on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets after his velocity took a dip. The Braves initially called it arm soreness. The Braves and fantasy managers have to be a bit worried after the 27-year-old only made two starts in 2024 before needing an internal-brace surgery on his right elbow. In his eight starts in 2026, Strider has gone 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA (5.37 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks in 39 innings pitched. At the very least, Strider will miss a couple turns through the rotation, but this could end up being a much lengthier absence, depending on the results of his testing. If Strider has a serious injury, the Braves could turn to young right-hander Hurston Waldrep.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Spencer Strider Leaves Early on Friday With Arm Soreness
The Atlanta Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider (arm) left his start early on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets with a trainer due to right-arm soreness. Strider allowed seven earned runs on six hits (three home runs) while walking one and striking out three in just three innings for his second loss of the season in the 7-5 defeat at the hands of the Mets at Citi Field. The 27-year-old's velocity was down, leading to the Braves' training staff coming out to check on Strider before he was pulled from the game. The severity of his injury is unclear right now, but we should have more information on Strider on Saturday morning, so fantasy managers will want to check back them to see if this is something that could land him on the 15-day injured list. Keep in mind that Strider had an internal-brace procedure that limited him to two starts in 2024. He came into Friday's contest with a 4-1 record and 4.00 ERA, but his ugly outing against New York pushed his season ERA up to 5.31. If Strider's latest arm injury is serious, youngster Hurston Waldrep could be next in line to join Atlanta's starting rotation.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Hurston Waldrep Activated and Optioned to Triple-A
The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they reinstated right-hander Hurston Waldrep (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep isn't ready to rejoin the major-league roster after rehabbing from elbow surgery in the offseason. The 24-year-old former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings in his third minor-league rehab start with Double-A Columbus. Waldrep should be an option for the Braves' starting rotation sooner rather than later in 2026 after he went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 22 walks in 56 1/3 innings pitched across 10 appearances (nine starts) last year before being shut down with his elbow injury. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should be considering whether to stash Waldrep right now as a potential difference-maker in the second half of the season. Right now, he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Martin Perez a Worthy Deep-League Option
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martin Perez was supposed to take the mound against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. That game was postponed due to weather. Instead, Perez is expected to take the mound for the series opener against the New York Mets on Friday. The veteran southpaw is an intriguing streaming option given his recent success. Over the last three starts, Perez owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, with nine strikeouts over 15.2 innings of work. He also has strong career numbers against the Mets, with a 3.09 ERA across 43.2 innings against the Mets in his career. The lack of strikeouts will likely keep his overall ceiling lower, but Perez remains a fairly trustworthy option at the moment.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Hurston Waldrep a Top Pitcher to Stash Ahead of Impending Return?
Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep (elbow), who is currently on the 60-day injured list, had his minor-league rehab assignment transferred to Double-A Columbus on Tuesday, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Waldrep will make a rehab start there on Thursday after already having two two-inning outings in the Florida Complex League as he works his way back from right-elbow surgery. The 24-year-old has at least three more weeks of ramping up before he's considered an option for the big-league starting rotation, so it might not be until after the mid-July All-Star break that we see him back with the Braves. The former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida deserves some stash consideration in deeper fantasy leagues after he had a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 55:22 K:BB in 56 1/3 innings pitched across 10 outings (nine starts) for Atlanta while going 6-1 last year. Waldrep's underlying metrics show that he was a bit fortunate in 2025, but he should have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in the second half of 2026. He's currently rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Braves Recall Top Prospect JR Ritchie, Worth Adding in Standard Leagues?
The Atlanta Braves recalled right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie to the majors on Wednesday, according to Milb Central. It will be the second time that Ritchie has been in the big leagues in 2026 in his rookie season, having posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 16 walks and 21 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings over his first five starts in Atlanta in his first go-around. The team's No. 2 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has been much better in his eight starts (39 1/3 innings) with Triple-A Gwinnett this year, going 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 36:20 K:BB. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder throws in the high-90s and gets plenty of swing and miss with his fastball, making him an intriguing arm in dynasty/keeper leagues. It appears that Ritchie will be used in more of a relief role this time around in Atlanta, though, so fantasy managers in redraft leagues can hold off on adding him for now. Ritchie is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Is Spencer Schwellenbach a Top Injury Stash?
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) had bone spurs removed from his elbow in February and has begun a throwing progression as he works his way back to the rotation at some point late in the season. Even though he's still a ways from his return and has been limited to throwing from flat ground, it could be time to stash him in deep leagues if you have roster flexibility to do so. He has been one of the most electric young arms in baseball when available, but has been limited to just 17 starts over the past two seasons. For standard-sized leagues, he's still too far away to stash quite yet, but he's definitely someone with enough upside to monitor his return closely as he makes progress over the next few weeks. In deeper leagues with more injury flexibility, though, he has enough late-season potential to be a sneaky add early in his return.
Source: Mark Bowman
Source: Mark Bowman
Hurston Waldrep Seeing Value Increase as High-Upside Stash Candidate?
Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep is gaining attention as a high-upside stash candidate as he works his way back from elbow surgery. The 24-year-old former first-round pick has shown flashes of plus stuff when healthy. He recently began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League and is currently targeting a return in late June to early July. While he's not expected to be an immediate rotation contributor, the combination of his pedigree and the Braves' need for pitching depth makes him an interesting speculative add. During the 2025 season, Waldrep held his own during his first extended taste in the majors, logging 56 1/3 innings with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. For managers who can afford to stash a high-ceiling arm with a chance to contribute later this summer, Waldrep is worth considering now before his value potentially rises.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Schwellenbach May Not Return Until August?
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) "might be (on track) for an August or September return," per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Schwellenbach has yet to pitch in 2026 after undergoing elbow surgery in mid-February. However, he received clearance to begin throwing in mid-May, leading to optimism that the hard-throwing right-hander could be progressing towards a rehab assignment. This latest report from Bowman seems to indicate that although Schwellenbach is making progress, he remains a long way away from returning to Atlanta's rotation. Before having his 2025 season ended by an elbow fracture, Schwellenbach recorded a 7-4 record with a 3.09 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts across 110 2/3 innings (17 starts). The 26-year-old remains a high-upside fantasy starter when healthy, but fantasy managers may want to wait until later this summer to consider stashing him off the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Spencer Schwellenbach Progressing in Recovery, Remains Priority Stash Target
Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) appears to be making encouraging progress in his recovery from right elbow surgery performed in mid-February. While a return timeline remains unclear, the 26-year-old carries significant fantasy appeal as a stash candidate. Schwellenbach emerged as a key member of Atlanta's rotation over the last two seasons, compiling a 3.23 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and elite command across 28 career starts. His 4.1 percent walk rate ranked in the 99th percentile, highlighting the combination of power stuff and control that fueled his success. Schwellenbach also showed improvement from 2024 to 2025 before the injury interrupted his development. Fantasy managers searching for impact pitching in the second half should continue monitoring his recovery closely as he works toward a return.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
