Braves' Young Pitcher Begins Rehab, Grant Holmes May Shift to Bullpen

The Atlanta Braves, currently leading in Major League Baseball, have faced several injury challenges since the onset of spring training. Despite these hurdles, the team has managed to maintain its competitive edge with the players available to them.

In recent weeks, the Braves' pitching lineup has been significantly affected by injuries. Starter Spencer Schwellenbach suffered an elbow injury, followed shortly by young right-hander Hurston Waldrep, who experienced discomfort after throwing batting practice. Manager Walt Weiss indicated that Waldrep might require surgery to remove "loose bodies" from his arm, although an MRI revealed no ligament damage. Further evaluations are pending for the promising pitcher.

In a turn of good news, Waldrep is scheduled to start a rehab assignment on Monday, throwing in the range of 96-99 mph, according to Battery Power’s Scott Coleman. While this development is encouraging, the Braves have yet to outline a specific timeline for Waldrep's return to the major league roster. His comeback coincides with struggles faced by fellow starter Grant Holmes, who has had difficulties in his recent outings.

Holmes' last performance saw him pitching 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs, while striking out five batters. A notable concern has been his effectiveness the second time through the batting order, which has led to speculation about a potential move to the bullpen. This shift could allow Holmes to concentrate on shorter stints, where he has shown greater effectiveness, without the pressure of facing lineups multiple times.

Transitioning to a relief role would not be an unusual step for Holmes, as many pitchers have successfully made similar moves throughout their careers. If Waldrep can demonstrate his health and effectiveness during his rehab, he may reclaim a starting position, while Holmes could become a valuable asset in the Braves' bullpen.