Brave Injuries and Roster Changes

June 16: RHP Hurston Waldrep will be optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett
Braves manager Brian Snitker informed Waldrep that he would be optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep, the Braves’ No. 2 prospect and No. 72 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Rays on Sunday. He was chased in the fourth inning in both of his major league starts. The 22-year-old pitcher was selected in the first round of last summer’s MLB draft and had totaled just 84 2/3 professional innings before making his debut on June 9.

“He’s got stuff, he’s got intangibles, all that stuff,” Snitker said. “He just lacks experience.”

June 16: RHP Grant Holmes’ contract selected from Triple-A Gwinnett; LHP Ray Kerr optional
The Braves promoted Holmes to get a new arm in their bullpen. Holmes was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft, but he had never pitched in the big leagues. In his MLB debut on Sunday, he struck out two in three scoreless innings of relief.

Kerr issued three walks while trying to protect an eight-run lead in Saturday’s win over the Rays. Right-hander Huascar Ynoa, who is on the Minor League IL with a stress reaction in his right elbow, was transferred to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man roster spot for Holmes.

June 15: CF Michael Harris II (left hamstring strain) placed on IL for 10 days; BY Ramón Laureano selected from Triple-A Gwinnett; Spencer Strider transferred to 60 day IL
Harris strained his left hamstring in the first inning of Friday night’s win over the Rays. An MRI performed Saturday indicated the center fielder was suffering from a Grade 2 strain. Braves manager Brian Snitker wasn’t willing to put a timetable on recovery, but there’s certainly reason to expect the outfielder to miss at least a month.

Laureano is a talented defender who has struggled offensively at the big league level in recent years. But he produced a 1.027 OPS in the 14 games he played for Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate after being released by Cleveland in May.

Strider, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery in April, was transferred to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man roster for Laureano.

June 14: Braves sign RHP Matt Carasiti to minor league deal
Atlanta added depth to its bullpen by signing the 32-year-old right-hander on Friday. Carasiti allowed 10 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings in seven relief appearances this season with the Rockies before Colorado designated him for assignment on June 8. He has a career 7.41 ERA in 58 1/3 innings in MLB and four seasons with the Rockies. and Mariners and is known for picking up ground balls with a four-pitch mix that includes a sinker, pitchfork, cutter and four-seamer.

CFMichael Harris II (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: End of July
Harris strained his left hamstring during a June 14 game against the Rays. An MRI showed he had a Grade 2 strain. The Braves haven’t set a timetable for his return, but it appears the center fielder will be out at least a month. (Last updated: June 15)

LHP AJ Minter (left hip inflammation)
Expected return: Maybe end of June
Minter has held a few side sessions in recent days, and Braves manager Brian Snitker said the left-hander’s hip is doing well — now it’s a matter of getting his arm up to speed. Minter expects to have a bullpen session in the near future. The club initially indicated the veteran reliever could miss most of June. Minter was dealing with hip discomfort, but it worsened after pitching a scoreless inning in the Braves’ loss to the Nationals on May 29. He was placed on IL the next day after imaging revealed inflammation that would take more than a few days. rest to pack. (Last updated: June 14)

RHP AJ Smith Shawver (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Early August
Smith-Shawver received bad news on May 24, when an MRI showed that he had a Grade 2 left oblique strain. He experienced some discomfort during the third inning of the May 23 game against the Cubs. But he didn’t tell the team’s medical staff until after he was sent off after 4 1/3 scoreless innings. There was no indication of injury or illness when he was forced out. The 21-year-old pitcher is the Braves’ number one prospect. (Last updated: May 24)

RHP Huascar Ynoa (right elbow stress reaction)
Expected return: To be determined
Ynoa has struggled to return since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022. The right-handed pitcher has made three appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett this year, but he has not pitched since April 14. He was transferred to the 60-day IL in June. 16 to create a 40-man roster spot for Grant Holmes. (Last updated: June 16)

RHP Spencer Strider (right ulnar collateral ligament)
Expected return: 2025
After visiting Dr. Keith Meister on April 8, Strider underwent surgery with an internal brace to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on April 12 and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. He was transferred to the 60 day IT on June 15. (Last updated: June 15)

RHP Ian Anderson (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: July
Anderson threw live batting practice on June 10 and was able to simulate an inning the weekend of June 7-9. Manager Brian Snitker said the 26-year-old is expected to pitch two innings in the rookie-level Florida Complex League soon, although he did not have an exact date. Anderson has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2023. (Last updated: June 14)

DE Ronald Acuña Jr. (left knee ACL tear)
Expected return: 2025
Acuña underwent season-ending surgery on June 4 after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee on May 26 in Pittsburgh. The operation was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Acuña will remain in Southern California for approximately 45 days following surgery to begin his rehabilitation before returning to the team.

“My goal is to come back as a better player and a better person,” Acuña said on May 30. “Who knows, maybe I can win another MVP.” (Last updated: June 6)

LHP Tyler Matzek (left elbow pain)
Expected return: To be determined
Matzek posted a 9.90 ERA and produced concerning hard-hit metrics in 11 appearances. The Braves are hoping he’s simply going through one of the phases that often follows Tommy John surgery. He will have at least a few weeks to rest his arm. (Last updated: June 4)

LHP Angel Perdomo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Perdomo was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 4. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent last fall and will miss the entire 2024 season. (Last updated: May 4)