Braves Rotation Crisis: Hurston Waldrep's Injury Update

Atlanta faces potential setback as young pitcher may require surgery

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:25am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and orange, conveying the uncertainty and disruption facing the Braves' pitching staff.The Braves' pitching rotation faces a crisis as injuries threaten to disrupt their plans for the 2026 season.Atlanta Today

The Atlanta Braves have been dealt another blow to their starting rotation as right-hander Hurston Waldrep may need surgery to remove 'loose bodies' detected in his arm. This comes just days after the team placed Spencer Schwellenbach on the 60-day injured list due to elbow inflammation, leaving the Braves with uncertainty around their pitching staff as the season approaches.

Why it matters

The Braves were counting on Waldrep, 23, to compete for the fifth starter spot this season after he showed promise in 2025. His potential absence, combined with Schwellenbach's ongoing injury issues, puts the team's rotation depth in jeopardy and could force them to rely more heavily on unproven options or seek external help via trades or free agency.

The details

Waldrep felt discomfort after a recent batting practice session, and an MRI revealed the presence of 'loose bodies' in his arm. The team is awaiting further test results to determine the full extent of the issue and whether surgery will be required. Manager Walt Weiss acknowledged the uncertainty, saying 'There's some things in there that shouldn't be there.' If Waldrep does need an operation, he would join Schwellenbach on the sidelines, leaving the Braves without two potential starters just before the season begins.

  • On April 9, 2026, the Braves placed Spencer Schwellenbach on the 60-day injured list due to elbow inflammation.
  • On April 12, 2026, the team announced that Hurston Waldrep may require surgery to remove 'loose bodies' detected in his arm.

The players

Hurston Waldrep

A 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who was expected to compete for the fifth starter spot in the Braves' rotation this season after a promising 2025 campaign.

Spencer Schwellenbach

A Braves pitcher who was placed on the 60-day injured list earlier this week due to elbow inflammation, further depleting the team's starting rotation depth.

Walt Weiss

The manager of the Atlanta Braves, who discussed the uncertainty surrounding Waldrep's injury and the potential impact on the team's pitching staff.

Alex Anthopoulos

The general manager of the Atlanta Braves, who has signaled a focus on adding pitching depth to the team's roster.

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What they’re saying

“There's some things in there that shouldn't be there, I guess.”

— Walt Weiss, Manager, Atlanta Braves

“Waldrep had shown a promising start to camp, highlighting a recent fastball recorded near 99 mph and several bullpens that preceded his arrival in camp without incident.”

— Walt Weiss, Manager, Atlanta Braves

What’s next

The Braves are awaiting further test results to determine the full extent of Hurston Waldrep's injury and whether surgery will be required. If Waldrep does need an operation, the team will have to rely more heavily on their remaining rotation options, which include Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes, Joey Wentz, Bryce Elder, and Martín Pérez.

The takeaway

The Braves' pitching depth is being severely tested early in the 2026 season, with the potential loss of both Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach creating significant uncertainty around the team's rotation. This could force the Braves to explore external options to bolster their pitching staff and ensure they have enough quality starters to compete in the NL East.