Braves hope for reinforcements, pitchers begin rehab assignments

The Atlanta Braves announced that two pitchers will begin their rehabilitation. Right-handed pitchers Jimmy Herget and Hurston Waldrep will begin their assignments with the FCL Braves in the Florida Complex League.

Herget has released since the beginning of June with inflammation in his right shoulder. His last appearance with the Braves was June 5, in the Braves’ 9-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

In five appearances this season, Herget has a 3.68 ERA and six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings pitched.

The Braves claimed the 30-year-old right-handed excluding exemptions Herget was named the Los Angeles Angels’ starting pitcher last May. Herget has played primarily in Triple-A this season. He has a 3.93 ERA in 16 appearances, split between the Salt Lake City Bees and Gwinnett Stripers.

Waldrep has been out since mid-June with inflammation in his right elbow. The Braves’ No. 2 prospect had made his major league debut just a week before his injury. He made two starts for the Braves and struggled mightily in both games.

In seven total innings pitched, he allowed 13 earned runs (16.71 ERA) on nine hits while walking eight.

In 10 minor league starts this season, nine with Double-A Mississippi and one with Triple-A Gwinnett, Waldrep has a 3.42 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings pitched.

The Georgia native was a first-round pick of the Braves (24th overall) just over a year ago out of the University of Florida.

With the latest wave of injuries hitting the Braves, they have two returning players on the mound working on their return. There is no timetable for their return, but they can be expected to progress through a few levels of the minor leagues.