Braves’ Strider, Waldrep cleared to throw

By Mark Bowman, Braves.com

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves received some encouraging news regarding their battered pitching staff Monday, although it remains uncertain whether it will translate into either Spencer Strider or Hurston Waldrep returning to the mound this season.

Both right-handers have been cleared to begin throwing programs, manager Walt Weiss said, providing at least some optimism after injuries created the possibility that both had thrown their final pitches of 2026.

Whether there is enough time remaining for either to build back up and pitch in a major league game is another matter.

“I don’t think you count on [Waldrep and Strider returning this year],” Weiss said. “But it’s great that we’re even talking about it at this point, because I’m sure most of us had probably written that off. So the fact that it’s even a conversation, I think, is a positive thing.”

Strider has been sidelined since June 12 because of inflammation in his right elbow. He visited Dr. Keith Meister three days later and was shut down from throwing with plans to be reevaluated.

For much of the past two months, indications pointed toward Strider missing the remainder of the season.

Now, at least, the door is slightly open.

“I think there was a possibility he could have been out for the year,” Weiss said. “That’s why it’s tough to put timelines out there because things just change. Their progression changes from day to day. It’s never linear. He’s feeling good and the tests are positive.”

Waldrep’s situation also appeared ominous.

The young right-hander removed himself from a July 19 start for Triple-A Gwinnett because of discomfort in his right arm. Weiss later said Waldrep was seeking multiple medical opinions, raising concerns that surgery — and the end of his season — could be a possibility.

A recent evaluation instead provided better news, clearing Waldrep to begin throwing again.

Being cleared to play catch, however, is a long way from being ready to face major league hitters.

Spencer Schwellenbach provides a reminder of how lengthy that process can become.

Schwellenbach underwent arthroscopic surgery in February to remove bone spurs from his right elbow and began a throwing program in June. As of Monday, he remained in Atlanta awaiting clearance to report to the Braves’ spring training complex and begin facing hitters.

Once Schwellenbach advances to live batting practice, he likely will need one or two sessions before beginning a minor league rehabilitation assignment. That process could stretch into the first couple of weeks of September, making his chances of returning during the regular season increasingly uncertain as well.

Recovery timetables can differ significantly, but the calendar is becoming an opponent for all three pitchers.

For Strider and Waldrep, simply being able to begin throwing again represents progress after both faced the possibility of being shut down for the remainder of the year.

And even if neither makes it back to Atlanta this season, beginning the throwing process now could have value beyond 2026.

Rather than entering the offseason at the beginning of a throwing progression, Strider and Waldrep could potentially use the remaining weeks of the season to establish a foundation for their winter programs and preparations for 2027.

The Braves saw the potential benefit of that approach with Grant Holmes, who entered this season after getting valuable work during his recovery and has posted a 3.47 ERA.

For now, Atlanta isn’t putting a return date on either Strider or Waldrep.

But after weeks in which a return this season appeared increasingly unlikely, the fact that both are throwing again qualifies as welcome news.

The next question is whether there is enough season left for either to make it all the way back.