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Atlanta Braves Prospect Hurston Waldrep Earns Major League Call-Up amid Rotation Instability – The Atlanta Braves have announced the promotion of right-handed pitcher Hurston Waldrep from Triple-A Gwinnett, following a recent string of strong performances and ongoing challenges in solidifying their starting rotation. Waldrep is expected to start tomorrow, August 26th, against the St. Louis Cardinals at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Waldrep, 25, recently delivered a dominant seven-inning shutout performance, allowing just five hits and one walk while recording eight strikeouts. His July was especially remarkable, posting a 0.78 ERA across four starts for the Stripers. This surge in performance marks a meaningful turnaround for the former first-round pick (24th overall in 2021) of the New York Yankees, acquired by the Braves in a trade involving outfielder Estevan Florial on July 26, 2023.
Waldrep’s path to the majors has been characterized by inconsistency. He received his first MLB opportunity in 2023, making two starts where he conceded 13 earned runs over seven innings before being placed on the injured list with a right elbow issue. Prior to a june 8th outing, cut short after one-third of an inning, his ERA stood at 6.35, prompting the Braves to explore other options.
The Braves initially turned to fellow prospect Didier Fuentes, giving him a start after only one career Triple-A game. When Fuentes struggled, the team experimented with bullpen days and added veteran starting pitchers, including Bryce Elder (who was later optioned) and Kolby Allard, acquired from the Texas Rangers on August 1st.
Today’s game against the Cardinals was briefly started by left-hander Austin Cox, filling in for the scheduled starter Spencer Strider due to a weather delay.Cox allowed one earned run in one-third of an inning before the game was suspended due to inclement weather. The suspension ultimately benefits Waldrep, guaranteeing him a roster spot for at least one day.
the Braves’ rotation has been in flux due to injuries to key starters like Strider (oblique strain) and Max Fried (forearm strain), as well as the inconsistent performance of other pitchers. Waldrep’s call-up represents a vote of confidence in his advancement and a potential long-term solution for the team.
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