Braves change plans with pitcher rehab assignments

The Atlanta Braves currently have two pitchers on rehab assignments, Huascar Ynoa and Hurston Waldrep. But the Braves have changed where each of those pitchers will continue their assignments on Sunday.

David O’Brien of The Athletic wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Ynoa will continue his rehab at Tripe-A Gwinnett, while Waldrep moves to Single-A Augusta.

“The Braves have transferred the rehab assignment of pitcher Huascar Ynoa from the FCL Braves to Triple-A Gwinnett, and the rehab assignment of pitcher Hurston Waldrep from the FCL Braves to Single-A Augusta,” O’Brien wrote.

Waldrep’s move to Single-A comes as no surprise. Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reported Saturday that Waldrep would make a rehab start with the Augusta GreenJackets on Sunday.

“He will make his first rehab start at the Single-A level in an away game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans,” Smajovits wrote.

Much like Spencer Schwellenbach was for the Braves on Saturday when he threw seven shutout innings against the New York Mets, the return of Ynoa or Waldrep could be a huge boost for Atlanta. The Braves are currently missing Max Fried and Spencer Strider from their rotation, the latter of whom has been out for most of the season and will not return.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Saturday that Fried will be back “relatively soon.”

Ynoa hasn’t pitched for the Braves since 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. He’s also struggled at the MLB level during his career.

But in 2021, Ynoa struck out 100 batters in 91 innings with the Braves. He also went 4-6 as a starter with a 4.05 ERA and 1.110 WHIP that season.

Waldrep is the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta organization. The Braves drafted him last year at No. 24 in the first round out of the University of Florida.

In two starts with the Braves, Waldrep has allowed 13 runs and 9 hits in 7 innings. But in 19 minor league appearances, he has a 2.60 ERA.