He’s 1st MLB pitcher on rehab assignment to play for Columbus Clingstones
The Columbus Clingstones had their first rehab assignment pitcher Thursday night when Hurston Waldrep took the mound to start the game against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Synovus Park.
Waldrep was on a rehab assignment from the Atlanta Braves to the Clingstones after having surgery on his right elbow, according to his page on MLB.com.
Waldrep threw 3 2/3 innings with three strikeouts before being taken out after giving up his fourth run of the inning on a three-run homer by the Wahoos.
Waldrep played 10 games with the Braves in 2025 with a 6-1 win/loss record and a 2.88 ERA, according to MLB.com.
Following his performance, the Georgia native told reporters his arm is feeling “really good.”
When asked where he was in his rehab journey to getting back to the majors, Waldrep said, “It’s step by step, you know. We’ll kinda talk more about it after today.”
When asked what percentage he was in his recovery journey, Waldrep said, “That’s kinda hard to say.”
“I feel like that varies through the season,” he said. “If you’re 100% healthy, or if you’re going through an injury, you’re going to have days where you walk in and say ‘Man, I feel like a 10%, or I feel like a 99%.’ You never really know. That’s just part of baseball, honestly.”