Hurston Waldrep News: Remaining in rotation

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker indicated after Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins that Waldrep will remain in the big-league rotation, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. "He was a first-round pick because he had arm strength and an out pitch with the split, but now he's pitching [well]," Snitker said. "He's mixing the curveball, the split's still a really good pitch for him, the sinker instead of [four-seamer]. He's not having to pitch at 98 [miles per hour] to be effective. His command's a lot better."

Atlanta is looking ahead to 2026, and Waldrep will get a prolonged audition in the majors as a result. The 2023 first-round pick has a 1.54 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 11.2 innings with the big club in August, extending a hot streak that had seen the right-hander post a 1.99 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB across his last 40.2 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett. Assuming Atlanta elects to maintain a five-man rotation during the upcoming week, Erick Fedde or Carlos Carrasco will likely be pushed to the bullpen or off the roster entirely to accommodate Waldrep.