Braves Face Rotation Crunch as Hurston Waldrep Likely Headed for Triple-A to Open 2026

Right-hander Hurston Waldrep emerged as one of the most unexpected bright spots in an injury-ravaged Atlanta Braves rotation during the 2025 season. Recalled in August, the 23-year-old delivered a 2.88 ERA across 10 starts, stabilizing the pitching staff down the stretch and putting himself firmly on the organization’s radar.

Yet as the Braves look ahead to 2026, Waldrep may find himself on the outside looking in — not because of performance, but because of roster math.

A Crowded 2026 Rotation Picture

Atlanta enters the new season with several key arms returning to health and an abundance of rotation options. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the Braves remain active in the market for a frontline starter, further complicating Waldrep’s path to an Opening Day roster spot.

The projected top of the rotation is formidable:

• Chris Sale

• Spencer Schwellenbach

• Spencer Strider

Behind them, the Braves expect Reynaldo López to return after missing nearly all of 2025 due to a shoulder injury. Grant Holmes, sidelined by an elbow issue in August, is also expected to be back in the mix.

That’s five names already — and the competition doesn’t stop there.

Options Working Against Waldrep

Despite his late-season success, Waldrep’s biggest obstacle is roster flexibility.

As Bowman noted in a post on social media, Waldrep still has a minor league option remaining, while several other pitchers do not. That reality gives Atlanta a clear incentive to send Waldrep to Triple-A Gwinnett to open the season.

“Waldrep might be a playoff starter at the end of the year,” Bowman wrote. “But because he has options and others don’t, the only way he starts the season in the Majors is if there are multiple injuries in spring training.”

The pitchers without minor league options include:

• Grant Holmes

• Bryce Elder

• Joey Wentz

• Martin Pérez

To keep them in the organization, Atlanta must carry them on the active roster in some capacity.

Veteran Depth Complicates the Picture

The Braves added Martin Pérez on a minor league deal on January 30, but the veteran left-hander is unlikely to accept a long-term minor league assignment. At this stage of his career, Pérez profiles as an innings eater and depth option, particularly if López or Holmes isn’t ready to start the year.

Joey Wentz brings flexibility as a swingman with experience both as a starter and in multi-inning relief. Holmes also has bullpen experience, giving the Braves multiple ways to deploy him.

That leaves Bryce Elder as the biggest question mark. After a strong 2023, Elder has struggled in consecutive seasons and finds himself firmly on the roster bubble. If he doesn’t earn a spot this spring, he could become a trade candidate.

Free Agency Could Tighten the Squeeze

Atlanta’s rotation depth becomes even more crowded if the front office lands an external upgrade.

Several notable starters remain available, including Framber Valdez, while Bowman has also mentioned Chris Bassitt, Zac Gallen, and Lucas Giolito as potential fits. Adding a marquee arm would eliminate any lingering uncertainty about the fifth starter role — and all but guarantee Waldrep begins 2026 in the minors.

Waldrep’s Roller-Coaster Start to His Career

Waldrep’s current situation is a stark contrast to where his career stood just two years ago.

Entering 2024, he was ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Braves organization by MLB.com. But his major league debut was disastrous. Waldrep was tagged for 13 earned runs over his first two appearances, leading to an immediate demotion. He wouldn’t return to the majors for more than a year.

Many young pitchers never recover from a start like that. Waldrep did — by reinventing himself.

Pitch Mix Transformation Fueled 2025 Breakout

The key to Waldrep’s resurgence in 2025 was a dramatic change in his pitch usage.

He nearly abandoned his four-seam fastball, instead leaning heavily on a cutter and sinker as his primary fastballs. Most importantly, he turned his splitter into his go-to weapon.

The results were impressive.

Waldrep threw his splitter 32.4% of the time, generating a staggering 45.4% whiff rate. The pitch consistently neutralized hitters, giving him a legitimate out pitch at the big-league level.

From August through the end of the regular season, Waldrep was dominant, allowing just four earned runs over 35.2 innings. He stumbled slightly in September (6.10 ERA over four starts), but the overall body of work strongly suggested sustainable success.

Long-Term Outlook Remains Bright

Even if Waldrep opens 2026 in Triple-A, the Braves clearly view him as part of their future.

Injuries are inevitable over the course of a long season, and Waldrep is likely near the top of the call-up list once an opening arises. His improved pitch mix, poise, and ability to miss bats give him a higher ceiling than many depth starters.

More importantly, his performance down the stretch showed he can handle major league lineups when given consistent opportunities.

Final Assessment

Hurston Waldrep’s situation highlights a familiar reality in baseball: roster decisions are often driven by options and contracts, not talent alone.

The Braves are deep, flexible, and built to contend — and that depth may temporarily push one of their most promising young arms back to the minors. But if Waldrep’s 2025 adjustments are any indication, his stay at Triple-A could be brief.

Whether as an injury replacement, midseason reinforcement, or even a postseason contributor, Waldrep’s story in Atlanta is far from over.

In fact, it may just be getting started.