The Braves’ pitching picture took another hit this week, and the timing could hardly be worse.
Atlanta is still in position to chase down the NL East with a couple of weeks left in the regular season, but the rotation remains the team’s biggest concern as October gets closer. That issue only grew more serious on Tuesday, when Reynaldo López was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation and JR Ritchie was brought up to Atlanta.
“The Braves today recalled RHP JR Ritchie to Atlanta and placed RHP Reynaldo López on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Additionally, RHP Joe Jiménez tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with the Gwinnett Stripers,” the Braves posted.
López’s absence stings because he was one of the veterans Atlanta could have leaned on in the playoffs, but that now looks unlikely for the time being. The Braves are trying to get through a key series with the Chicago Cubs while the rotation keeps shifting underneath them.
The club had already made a change on Monday morning, when it designated left-hander Bailey Falter for assignment. Falter, 29, was acquired from the Royals with outfielder Lane Thomas before the 2026 trade deadline.
“The Braves announced this morning that left-hander Bailey Falter has been designated for assignment. The 29-year-old Falter was acquired from the Royals alongside outfielder Lane Thomas prior to the 2026 trade deadline. By agreeing to acquire Falter and some of the remainder on his $3.6MM salary, Atlanta likely lowered the prospect cost of acquiring Thomas,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams wrote.
There’s also growing concern around Hurston Waldrep, whose season appears to be over. Braves Today’s Lindsay Crosby reported that Waldrep was at Gwinnett Field cleaning out his locker, and teammates were seen looking at his elbow during conversations.
“Hurston Waldrep was at Gwinnett Field today, cleaning out his locker and taking his stuff. Teammates were spotted looking at his elbow during various conversations. Feels like that's a bit of confirmation that he's likely not coming back this year,” Braves Today’s Lindsay Crosby wrote.
For a team heading toward the postseason, it’s a rough stretch in the one area Atlanta can least afford to keep losing bodies. The Braves will keep trying to survive the Cubs series, but the rotation situation is still far from settled with the playoffs just ahead.
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