Has the Atlanta Braves Front Office Learned Its Lesson About Rushing Guys? | Atlanta Braves Podcast

Braves Today · Jul 8, 2026 · 34m

After Atlanta’s 12–4 loss to the Pirates, Lindsay Crosby argues Hurston Waldrep was rushed back from elbow surgery before he was ready, leading to seven earned runs in 3.1 innings, five walks, and a hit batter that set up Ryan O’Hearn’s record-setting three homers and 10 RBI for the game. Crosby breaks down Waldrep’s low zone rates and lack of chase on the splitter, comparing his profile to Ian Anderson, and places blame on the front office for repeatedly accelerating injury returns (Acuña, Ha-Seong Kim, Drake Baldwin). He notes Atlanta may be changing course by taking Acuña’s second…