Waldrep’s arm issue deepens Braves’ rotation woes

By Mark Bowman, Braves.com

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves’ already thin starting rotation took another hit Sunday when right-hander Hurston Waldrep left his start for Triple-A Gwinnett because of right arm discomfort.

Braves manager Walt Weiss said before Monday night’s game against the San Diego Padres that Waldrep will undergo further evaluation this week. The latest setback comes just months after the 24-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery in February to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.

“Any time a pitcher has to remove himself from a game, you never think good things,” Weiss said. “But we’ll see.”

Waldrep returned to action in June but has thrown just 29 combined innings between the major and minor leagues before experiencing the latest issue.

The injury further underscores Atlanta’s growing need to acquire at least one starting pitcher before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline.

The Braves had hoped Waldrep could shake off the rust and regain the form he displayed last season, when he posted a 2.88 ERA in 10 appearances, including nine starts, for Atlanta. Instead, his latest injury leaves the organization with even fewer internal options to stabilize a rotation that has been plagued by inconsistency and injuries.

Chris Sale has anchored the staff with another Cy Young Award-caliber campaign, but the rest of the rotation remains filled with question marks.

Reynaldo López has yet to pitch beyond five innings in any of his four starts since returning to the rotation. Grant Holmes has shown improvement in July but also has not worked past the fifth inning in any of his three starts this month.

Bryce Elder entered Monday’s game carrying an 8.47 ERA over his previous seven starts before delivering one of his strongest outings of the season against the Padres. Veteran left-hander Martín Pérez is expected to return from the injured list Wednesday after posting a 4.85 ERA across his last six starts before being sidelined.

For now, Atlanta appears committed to relying on Sale, López, Holmes, Elder and Pérez while the front office searches for help before the trade deadline.

The Braves have already exhausted most of their in-house alternatives.

JR Ritchie received multiple opportunities to claim a rotation spot but owns a 5.55 ERA with a 14.4 percent walk rate in seven starts. Meanwhile, the club’s No. 5 prospect, Owen Murphy, struggled in his major league debut Saturday, lasting just 2 2/3 innings.

There remains hope that AJ Smith-Shawver can contribute after returning from the injured list, though pitchers often need time to regain their form following ulnar collateral ligament surgery. Waldrep had also been viewed as a potential midseason boost despite struggling with his command during his brief stint with Atlanta this season, issuing 10 walks and hitting two batters over 10 2/3 innings before being optioned to Gwinnett.

His latest setback places him alongside fellow injured starters Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider.

There is little optimism that Strider, sidelined since June 12 with right elbow inflammation, will pitch again this season.

Schwellenbach has progressed to throwing bullpen sessions at the Braves’ spring training complex in Florida but is still expected to need at least another month of buildup after he is cleared to face live hitters later this month before he could return to Atlanta’s rotation.