Braves Predicted to Sign $61 Million All-Star After Hurston Waldrep Injury

Former Cy Young candidate Lucas Giolito could be headed to Atlanta to bolster rotation.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 8:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Atlanta Braves have been hit with another injury to their starting rotation, as Hurston Waldrep has been placed on the 60-day IL. This has led to predictions that the Braves will be forced to sign former All-Star and Cy Young candidate Lucas Giolito, who is currently a free agent and projected to receive a 3-year, $61 million contract.

Why it matters

The Braves were already dealing with pitching depth issues after losing Spencer Schwellenbach, and the Waldrep injury has exacerbated the problem. Signing Giolito could help stabilize the rotation, but there are concerns about his recent injury history and declining performance.

The details

Giolito, 27, finished the 2025 season with a 10-4 record, 3.41 ERA, 121 strikeouts, and 1.290 WHIP over 145 innings pitched. While his surface stats look solid, advanced metrics suggest he may have gotten lucky. Giolito also underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in 2024 and ended last season on the IL with another elbow issue.

  • Hurston Waldrep was placed on the 60-day IL in February 2026.

The players

Hurston Waldrep

An Atlanta Braves starting pitcher who was placed on the 60-day injured list in February 2026.

Lucas Giolito

A 27-year-old free agent pitcher who is projected to receive a 3-year, $61 million contract and could be signed by the Braves to bolster their rotation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“All winter long, Braves fans waited for their team to add some more pitching depth to the mix. Alex Anthopoulos suggested as much whenever he met with the media...Giolito's 3.41 ERA last season looks shiny, but the underlying metrics suggest he got very lucky. He also underwent UCL reconstruction in 2024, and ended last season on the IL with another elbow issue. He's a name-brand option and former Cy Young candidate, but that was a long time ago; at this point, he might just make Atlanta's problem even worse.”

— Chris Landers, FanSided writer

What’s next

The Braves will need to decide whether to pursue Giolito or explore other options to bolster their starting rotation in the wake of the Waldrep injury.

The takeaway

The Braves' pitching depth has been tested by injuries, leading to predictions they will be forced to sign a high-profile but risky free agent in Lucas Giolito. While Giolito could provide a boost, his recent injury history and declining performance raise concerns about whether he is the right solution for Atlanta.