2026 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Hurston Waldrep

Atlanta Braves pitcher Hurston Waldrep endured a heavily disrupted 2026 campaign that culminated in Tommy John surgery, following an encouraging finish to 2025. After having loose bodies removed from his elbow in February, Waldrep returned in June but logged only 10 2/3 major league innings across three appearances. Subsequent arm discomfort in the minors ultimately led to season-ending elbow reconstruction in August.

Battery Power's review notes Waldrep struggled heavily during his limited big-league action, compiling a -0.3 fWAR before his shutdown. The author highlights that the right-hander will spend the entire 2027 season rehabbing from surgery, pushing any potential return to the Braves' pitching rotation to spring training 2028 at the earliest.