The Atlanta Braves have released catcher Maverick Handley to create a 40-man roster spot for right-hander Hurston Waldrep, who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. The move came after the team designated Carlos Carrasco for assignment and outrighted him to the minors.
Handley, 28, was claimed by Atlanta off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles in early June after the Braves lost Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin to injury. He was immediately optioned to Gwinnett as a third catcher behind Sandy León and Chadwick Tromp. The team later swapped in Austin Wynns for Tromp. Handley landed on the Triple-A injured list last week and will become a free agent if he clears release waivers.
Waldrep, the Braves’ 2023 first-round pick, had been on the 60-day injured list after undergoing surgery in early Spring Training to remove loose bodies from his elbow. He entered 2024 as a projected Opening Day starter after posting a 2.88 ERA in 56 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A in 2023. Waldrep began a rehab assignment at the Florida Complex League before moving to Double-A Columbus on Wednesday, where he pitched 3 2/3 innings and threw 53 pitches.
The 24-year-old right-hander will be on optional assignment with Gwinnett moving forward. He was earning an MLB salary and accruing service time while on the 60-day IL, but his time in Triple-A will not count toward those totals. Waldrep had 103 days of MLB service entering the season and has already surpassed the one-year threshold.
Atlanta’s rotation has been hit by injuries but remains stable. Chris Sale is having a dominant season, while Bryce Elder has emerged as a reliable middle-of-the-rotation starter. Spencer Strider returned in early May, and Grant Holmes and Martín Pérez have provided decent results despite modest strikeout and walk rates. Waldrep is expected to rejoin the rotation within the next few weeks if he continues to progress.
The Braves have moved Reynaldo López to the bullpen and are using rookie righties JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes in relief. Waldrep’s return could shift the rotation again, as his upside is significantly higher than current options.
Next up, the Braves will monitor Waldrep’s progress in Gwinnett and decide when to recall him. Meanwhile, Baldwin is set to begin a rehab assignment, providing catching depth.
The Miami Marlins have re-signed right-handed reliever Zach Pop on a minor league contract, according to the MLB.com transaction log. Pop will report to Triple-A Jacksonville and is expected to compete for a spot on the 2025 big league roster. The deal marks his return to the organization where he b
just now
The Colorado Rockies confirmed on Friday night that right-hander Chase Dollander will undergo UCL surgery, ending his 2026 season and likely sidelining him for most of 2027. Manager Warren Schaeffer told Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette that Dollander has one more pre-operation appointment before t
just now
The New Orleans Pelicans are holding strong on their asking price for forward Trey Murphy III, despite growing trade interest from the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. While teams have reached out, the Pelicans have not yet officially shopped Murphy and are waiting to see if a deal that meets the
just now
The Boston Celtics are reportedly in talks to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, a move that could send Jaylen Brown out of Boston. The Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Atlanta Hawks are among the teams speculated to be interested in Brown should a blockbuster trade
just now