The Atlanta Braves pitching staff has continually lost pieces throughout a miserable 2025 season. After one start, Spencer Strider was lost to the injured list again and took time working his way back to full health. AJ Smith-Shawver was lost for the year and had to have elbow surgery after what was an impressive start to the season. Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach were both lost as well, with a timeline for either to return the remaining question.
This leaves out Reynaldo Lopez, who hasn't factored into the team's rotation since the first week of the season. All of this adds up to a healthy level of desperation for a team that has no idea how to fill out innings.
Having the context of this is important in understanding why the team's next move should be calling up Hurston Waldrep. The pitcher is struggling in Gwinnett to the tune of an ERA north of five. Calling up Waldrep isn't about a deserved promotion but simply a team that is out of options and needs someone to eat innings. While this should be veteran pitcher Ian Anderson, the once-reliable starter is currently dealing with an injury of his own.
Braves Should Call-Up Hurston Waldrep
The prospect made two starts last season and clearly was overmatched. These struggles have continued in the minor leagues this season, and in truth, there isn't a reason to believe this will change. However, the Braves are in an understandable place of desperation where they simply have no other answers. As the rotation continues to fall apart, the team is going to have to be willing to make a move, and Waldrep seems the most obvious.
Waldrep has already had a taste of the next level, and there isn't any reason to believe things are going to improve in Gwinnett. The team is better off sitting back and hoping that a change of scenery will unlock the potential of the prospect. Even if that doesn't prove to be the case, at least the team can give the bullpen rest by having the starter eat innings no matter the result.
Regardless of whether it is Waldrep or another choice, the team is going to need to make a decision that helps protect the rest of the roster. A four-man rotation obviously isn't viable with how banged up the rotation is and how unreliable the bullpen remains. Calling up Waldrep fixes this and gives Atlanta a chance to find surprise production.