Waldrep will undergo surgery Monday to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bowman reported previously that if surgery was recommended for Waldrep, the pitcher would likely be sidelined for approximately three months. The right-hander will be placed on the 60-day injured list, though that transaction hasn't officially been made yet. Waldrep showed signs of a breakout in 2025 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 55:22 K:BB over 56.1 innings, but it will be a while before he's seen in a big-league uniform again. With Spencer Schwellenbach also undergoing an elbow procedure, Joey Wentz and Bryce Elder have moved up in Atlanta's rotation pecking order.

Waldrep would be sidelined for approximately three months if Dr. Keith Meister recommends surgery to remove loose bodies in the pitcher's right elbow, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

If Meister determines surgery isn't required, Waldrep could require just three weeks of rest. A decision has not yet been made but is expected this week. Even if Waldrep does not undergo surgery, it's likely he will need a stint on the injured list to begin the season. The elbow injury also effectively removes him from the competition for the final spot in Atlanta's rotation, at least in the near term.

Waldrep experienced right elbow discomfort following a recent live batting practice session and will visit specialist Dr. Keith Meister later this week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

An MRI showed loose bodies in his elbow and no ligament damage, but it's too early to declare Waldrep in the clear until he visits Dr. Meister, who is a surgeon well known for performing operations on MLB pitchers. The 23-year-old Waldrep was already facing an uphill battle to cracking Atlanta's Opening Day rotation, but his availability for the start of the season -- and beyond -- is now in question.

Waldrep remains likely to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, even with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) having been placed on the 60-day IL, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atlanta's pitching depth will be tested right out of the gate, with Bryce Elder and Joey Wentz viewed as the top candidates to fill in for Schwellenbach along with top prospect Waldrep. However, the 23-year-old right-hander still has minor-league options remaining, while Wentz and Elder do not, giving them the edge in the camp battle for spots on the 26-man roster -- either as the fifth starter or as a long man in the bullpen. Waldrep should still get another crack at the majors at some point in 2026 after posting a 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 55:22 K:BB over 56.1 innings last season.

Waldrep could begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waldrep seemingly did enough last season to be locked into Atlanta's rotation, posting a 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 55:22 K:BB over 56.1 innings covering nine starts and one extended relief outing. However, several other of the team's rotation candidates cannot be optioned to the minors, while Waldrep can, so the 23-year-old could be a roster casualty as Atlanta seeks to retain depth. Bowman writes that while Waldrep might wind up being the most valuable of the current fifth-starter candidates by the end of the season, if he becomes a "lasting part" of the rotation early on, "then something disastrous will have already happened." Atlanta has Chris Sale and Spencer Strider locked into rotation spots, with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) and Grant Holmes (elbow) expected to fill the other slots, if healthy. Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, Martin Perez (shoulder) and Waldrep are among the club's depth starters, and Waldrep is the only one in the group that has minor-league options remaining. Atlanta also remains in the market for additional rotation help, which could push Waldrep farther down the pecking order.

Atlanta optioned Waldrep to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Waldrep made his final start of the season Tuesday against the Nationals, so Atlanta will replace him on the roster with reliever Hayden Harris. The 23-year-old right-hander should be locked into Atlanta's 2026 rotation after collecting a 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 55:22 K:BB in 56.1 innings this season.

Waldrep (6-1) got the win over the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out five in six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Some control issues in the third inning led to a run for the Nationals, but Waldrep was otherwise excellent in what was the final start of his rookie season. Waldrep recorded his first quality start since Aug. 20, but he had just one outing in 10 appearances (nine starts) this season in which he allowed more than three runs. He finishes 2025 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 55:22 K:BB in 56.1 innings and will certainly be a name to watch for Atlanta next spring as he competes for a spot in the rotation.

Waldrep (5-1) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on five hits over five innings in a 9-4 victory over the Nationals. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

After getting tagged for eight runs in 4.2 innings to take his first big-league loss of the year in his last start, Waldrep came out firing Wednesday and blanked Washington for four frames before giving up a three-spot in the bottom of the fifth on four hits, including three doubles, to break a scoreless tie. Atlanta was able to take the lead for good in the top of the sixth to put the rookie right-hander back in the win column, however. Waldrep hasn't been able to complete six innings in any of his last five starts, getting pulled after 83 pitches (52 strikes) in this one, but Wednesday's effort was his first in the majors in which he didn't issue a free pass. He lines up to make one more start in 2025, at home early next week in a rematch with the Nats.

Waldrep (4-1) took the loss Friday as Atlanta got routed 11-3 by the Astros, coughing up eight runs on eight hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The 23-year-old right-hander finally got saddled with his first loss of the season in his eighth appearances (seventh start), and Waldrep gave up more runs Friday than he had in the prior seven trips to the mound combined as his ERA soared from 1.33 to 2.78 as a result of the disastrous performance. After throwing 103.1 innings across all levels in 2024 and 137 frames between Triple-A and majors this season, Waldrep may be running out of gas -- he hasn't been able to complete six innings in any of his last four starts. He's scheduled to make his next outing on the road next week against the Nationals.

Waldrep didn't factor into the decision against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and five walks while striking out five over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander battled command issues throughout the outing, issuing a season-high five free passes, but he managed to limit the damage to a Julio Rodriguez homer in the first inning. It marked the first time in seven MLB starts this season that Waldrep allowed more than one run, as he had previously been nearly untouchable since his call-up. While he has shown swing-and-miss stuff, the walks continue to be a concern and have capped his ability to work deeper into games. The 23-year-old will carry a 1.33 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB across 40.2 innings into his next scheduled start against the Astros.