It sure feels like nothing is coming easy for the Atlanta Braves in 2024. Not only have they lost arguably their best pitcher in Spencer Strider and their best hitter in Ronald Acuna Jr. to season-ending injuries that would doom most clubs, but the Braves have had to weather a slump from their formidable offense and injuries to several members of their supporting cast.
The end result has been a lot of roster movement to try and make things work. In some cases, the Braves moves have been short-term fixes to just cover innings while a regular player is out and in others, especially in the rotation, they have been earnest attempts to give guys opportunities to earn a more permanent roster spot at a position of need.
One such much was when the Braves called up Hurston Waldrep. While Waldrep was only drafted in the first round last year, he impressed enough in the minor leagues for the Braves to give him an opportunity. Unfortunately, his first two starts did not go well and now Waldrep is going to the IL with elbow inflammation amidst a swath of Braves' roster moves.
#Braves’ roster moves:
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 17, 2024
* OF Forrest Wall recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett
* OF J.P. Martínez optioned
* RH Daysbel Hernández recalled
*RH Hurston Waldrep on 15-day IL with elbow inflammation; after initially being optioned Sunday, he told trainers he was more sore than usual.
Braves News: Hurston Waldrep placed on IL with elbow issues, Atlanta makes sweeping roster changes
The most important news here is Waldrep's injury, so we'll start there. Waldrep was already going to get optioned back to the minor leagues after struggling for his second straight outing. However, apparently Waldrep talked to the Braves' trainers after his start on Sunday that he was more sore than usual after the game. Apparently the issue is bad enough that the Braves wanted to play things safe and give him some time off, although there isn't any indication so far that the injury is considered serious.
As for the rest of the roster moves, these make logical sense. Forrest Wall has played well down in the minor leagues as has always made the most sense as a guy that could replace Michael Harris II while he is out with a hamstring injury over JP Martinez. Regardless of Waldrep's injury, the Braves had planned to bring up a reliever in his place while they sort out their rotation options and Hernandez both is on the 40-man roster and has real upside in the pen.
One of these days, the Braves will get fully healthy and won't have to constantly reshape key parts of their roster. Unfortunately, they may have to wait until next year or at least the trade deadline for that to be the case.