Braves No. 2 prospect Hurston Waldrep to begin rehab for Augusta

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep will take another step toward his return this weekend to potentially provide much-needed reinforcements to the major league pitching staff. He will make a rehab start Sunday for the Augusta GreenJackets, according to the source.

He will make his first rehab start at the Single-A level on the road against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

JR Ritchie is expected to start the first game of the doubleheader on Sunday, so barring any changes, Waldrep will start the second game for the GreenJackets.

This will be Waldrep’s second start on his rehab assignment. In two innings for the FCL Braves on July 23, he allowed one run on two hits while walking two and striking out two.

Waldrep suffered an inflammation in his right elbow on June 17. Prior to his injury, Waldrep struggled in his two major league appearances. In seven innings pitched, he allowed 13 earned runs on nine hits and eight walks.

He was expected to be demoted to the minor leagues, but then reported that he was experiencing more elbow pain than usual. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve.

In 11 minor league appearances this season, Waldrep has a 3.14 ERA in 57.1 innings pitched at three different levels.

Waldrep is the Braves’ No. 2 prospect, having been selected 24th overall just over a year ago out of the University of Florida.

Another healthy arm on the pitching staff could go a long way toward easing the Braves’ headaches. Their ace Max Fried was placed on the disabled list a week ago with forearm neuritis.

However, the pitchers are starting to find some form as a whole. The aforementioned Ritchie, as well as starting pitchers Ian Anderson and AJ Smith-Shawver, have found form and are pitching in the minor leagues while waiting to be called up to Atlanta when they are needed.