The Atlanta Braves announced multiple roster moves ahead of today’s doubleheader against the Miami Marlins.
Most notable is that top pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep was recalled rather than being added as the extra man for today – that honor was bestowed upon pitcher Hunter Stratton. The move indicates that Waldrep will get a chance to make multiple starts for the Braves, whose starting pitching has been decimated by injuries.
The team also added infielder Vidal Brujan, who was claimed by the Braves from the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. To make room on the roster, the team optioned infielder Johnathan Ornelas to Triple-A.
Rounding out the transaction was reliever Dylan Dodd being optioned to the minors. Dodd threw three shut-out innings last night, making him unavailable for today’s games at a minimum, so it is a tough-luck option for the lefty whose conversion to the bullpen has gone well he may be a key piece of the the 2026 roster.
Stratton has pitched in two games with Atlanta this season, striking out three without allowing a run. Ornelas went two-for-four in one start in his two games.
Brujan is extremely versatile, having played every defensive position other than catcher. He’s also taken the mound twice in his career – both times with Miami last season. He spent the first three years of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays before being swapped to the Marlins last year. This year he saw time with the Chicago Cubs prior to his single appearance with the O’s.
Brujan can not hit – he has a career .533 OPS – but the Braves seem to like defensive versatility at the end of their bench as they still roster Luke Williams and his .551 career OPS. Williams, however, is a much better pitcher with eight career appearances – including four this season.