The Atlanta Braves have developed something of a reputation over the last few years, a penchant, really, for scooping up arms off the waiver wire. Sometimes it’s a lottery ticket, other times it’s depth, but the motivation is rarely mysterious. Pitching attrition is real. The season is long. And even fringe arms can make a meaningful impact under the right circumstances. This time, the subject of Atlanta’s intrigue is left-hander Ken Waldichuk, whom the Braves claimed off waivers from the A’s.
A Familiar Name, a Long Road Back
Waldichuk last appeared in a big-league game in 2023, back when the A’s were still in Oakland, and his numbers were, frankly, unkind. A 5.36 ERA across 141 innings doesn’t exactly scream breakout star, but there are always nuances buried beneath the surface. Waldichuk made 22 starts and 13 relief appearances that year, and while his FIP (5.30) didn’t paint a more flattering picture, it was clear he had enough stamina and pitch variety to at least draw interest as a lefty option.
Then came the setback. In May 2024, he underwent Tommy John surgery, a gut punch for any pitcher, much less one still trying to find his footing in a major league rotation. That surgery wiped out the remainder of 2024 and sidelined him for much of 2025. His rehab stint with the Las Vegas Aviators revealed rust that had yet to wear off. Across 51 innings and 15 starts, Waldichuk pitched to an unsightly 8.65 ERA and 7.30 FIP. The command wasn’t there. The strikeouts dipped. The recovery, in short, is still in progress.
Why The Braves Took the Gamble
So why claim him now? The answer lies in the arsenal and the timeline. Waldichuk works primarily with a low-90s fastball, around 93–94 mph, and supplements it with a sweeper and a changeup. The movement profiles, particularly on the sweeper, remain intriguing, and Atlanta’s player development staff has more than earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to refining raw tools. He may not sniff the big-league mound this spring, but as a stash play, someone who might evolve into a useful piece mid-season, he checks a few quiet boxes.
Bruján Out, Roster Math In Motion
To make room on the roster, the Braves designated Vidal Bruján for assignment. Bruján, who logged 47 plate appearances over 24 games in 2025, posted a .268/.362/.317 line. The OBP outpaced the slugging by a country mile, but a .311 wOBA and 98 wRC+ suggest he was serviceable in his role. That said, serviceable in a limited role doesn’t guarantee staying power, especially when a team is hunting upside in every corner of the roster.
Waldichuk is a flier, yes, but an informed one. The Braves have turned modest gambles into meaningful returns before, and this may well be another chapter in that same story.
