The Atlanta Braves announced Thursday that they have claimed left-handed pitcher. To make room on the roster after acquiring him from the Athletics, Atlanta designated infielder Vidal Brujan for assignment.
The 28 years old left-handed pitcher, debuted in the majors with Oakland in 2022, appearing in seven starts and posting a 4.93 ERA over 34.2 innings. He saw a larger role in 2023, logging 35 appearances—22 of them starts—but continued to struggle, finishing the year with a 5.36 ERA across 141 innings.
The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and did not return to game action until the summer of 2025. Upon his return, he made 16 appearances (15 starts) at Triple-A and one start at Single-A, recording an 8.17 ERA over 54 innings. While the results were disappointing, some inconsistency was expected following major elbow surgery.
Later in 2025, the Athletics designated Waldichuk for assignment, opening the door for Atlanta to claim him. Despite his struggles, Waldichuk’s age and experience make him an intriguing reclamation project. Although he has primarily worked as a starter, a future move to the bullpen remains a possibility.
What could Waldichuk’s role be in Atlanta?
The Braves are looking for pitching depth, but their current rotation options are more dependable for now. For Waldichuk to earn a starting role in the majors, he would need to perform well in the minors and have an opening emerge in the big-league rotation. A transition to relief could accelerate his return to the MLB, particularly since left-handed relievers are in high demand.
Ultimately, Waldichuk’s role with Atlanta is still uncertain. Whether as a starter or a reliever, his addition gives the Braves extra pitching depth with some upside. He is unlikely to be a difference-maker immediately, but he is a player worth monitoring to see if he can carve out a role at the major league level down the line.
