Waldrep exits start for Triple-A Gwinnett, will undergo evaluation

ATLANTA -- The Braves’ rotation concerns grew on Sunday when right arm discomfort forced Hurston Waldrep to exit his start with Triple-A Gwinnett.

Braves manager Walt Weiss said before Monday's game vs. the Padres that Waldrep will be further evaluated this week. The 24-year-old hurler underwent arthroscopic surgery in February to remove loose bodies located around his right elbow. He returned in June, but threw just 29 combined innings at the Minor League and Major League levels before this latest discomfort shut him down again.

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

Waldrep’s injury seemingly heightens what was already a definite need for the Braves to add at least one starting pitcher before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. There was some hope he could shake off some rust over the next couple of weeks and get back to where he was when he posted a 2.88 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts) for Atlanta last year.

Chris Sale is constructing a Cy Young Award-caliber season. But the remainder of Atlanta’s rotation is filled with uncertainty. Reynaldo López hasn’t completed more than five innings in any of the four starts he’s made since moving back to a starting role. Grant Holmes has been better in July, but he still hasn’t completed more than five innings in three starts this month.

Bryce Elder entered Monday night’s start with an 8.47 ERA over his past seven starts. Martín Pérez, who is expected to come off the injured list to start Wednesday, has a 4.85 ERA over his past six starts.

As things currently stand, the Braves have no choice but to depend on Sale, López, Holmes, Elder and Pérez until they can at least attempt to acquire a starter. They have exhausted most of their other internal options.

JR Ritchie has been given a couple of chances to earn a rotation spot. But he has posted a 5.55 ERA while constructing a 14.4 percent walk rate in seven starts. Owen Murphy, the team’s No. 5 prospect, looked overmatched as he lasted just 2 2/3 innings while making his first career start on Saturday.

There’s still a chance AJ Smith-Shawver could make a positive impact when he is activated from the injured list. But many pitchers struggle when they initially return from a UCL surgery.

So, the Braves hoped Waldrep could turn things around and become a strong internal option. He was sent down to Gwinnett after issuing 10 walks and hitting two batters over 10 2/3 innings for Atlanta this year.

But for now, he is in the same category as Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider. There doesn’t seem to be much optimism about Strider pitching again this year. He has been sidelined since June 12 because of right elbow inflammation.

Schwellenbach is at the Spring Training complex in Florida throwing bullpen sessions. But he will likely need at least an additional month to complete his preparations once he is cleared to start facing live hitters near the end of this month.