Hurston Waldrep Advances in Rehab as Braves Eye Future Strength

The Atlanta Braves are seeing progress with 24-year-old pitcher Hurston Waldrep as he continues his rehabilitation. Following a disappointing 2025 season that fell short of expectations, Waldrep emerged as a bright spot in the latter part of the year. However, he underwent surgery on his right elbow in February after experiencing discomfort during spring training, which has kept him sidelined for most of the current season.

On Tuesday, the Braves announced that Waldrep will make a rehab start for Double-A Columbus, where he is expected to throw between 55 and 60 pitches, roughly translating to three to four innings of work. He has already made two appearances in the Florida Complex League, each lasting two innings.

Waldrep's return would bolster a rotation currently led by Grant Holmes and Martín Pérez. Despite a limited sample size, Waldrep's previous performance last season suggests promise for the Braves' pitching future. After being recalled from Triple-A on August 9, he made nine starts in ten appearances, achieving a 6-1 record and a 2.88 ERA, showcasing his ability to limit hard contact and maintain a high ground ball rate.

In his latest outing in the Florida Complex League, Waldrep allowed one run, issued three walks, and struck out four batters over two innings. Initially projected to return by late June, his rehab process began at the start of the month and could last three weeks to a month. His fastball has been clocked in the mid-to-high 90s, complemented by a low 90s cutter and an impressive spin rate on his slider.

As the Braves currently enjoy one of the top team ERAs in the league, Waldrep's return could provide an additional asset to an already strong rotation, further solidifying their position as a leading team in the league.