Waldrep of Thomasville has been called up and is anticipated to pitch Sunday for the Braves.

Washington, D.C. On Sunday, Hurston Waldrep will assume a new uniform. According to a number of sources, the Atlanta Braves have called up the native of Thomasville, and he is anticipated to start the game on Sunday against the Washington Nationals.

DJ Herz of Washington is scheduled to start against Waldrep, according to ESPN.

MLB.com ranks Waldrep as Atlanta’s second-best overall prospect. Waldrep was selected by the team in the first round of the 2023 draft out of Florida.

This year, he was welcomed to spring training and then reassigned to AA Mississippi. He pitched in nine games there, recording a 2.92 ERA and struck out 48 batters in 49 innings.

On June 1, the Braves promoted him to AAA Gwinnett. Waldrep has only made one pitch in six frames of work for the Stripers, striking out eleven batters.

Game time on Sunday is 1:35 p.m.

READ MORE:

Atlanta Braves Covering the Bases: Reynaldo López makes All-Star push, prospect updates and more.

The Atlanta Braves have yet to hit their stride as a 9-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday made clear. The Braves remain nine games above .500 but hardly resemble the ruthless victory machine of a year ago during the regular season. Are they about to get hot? We take the temperature in this week’s Braves Digest.

Power rankings: Atlanta Braves are No. 6

This week’s topic looks at potential first-time All-Star candidates around the league. Some are slam dunks, almost guaranteed to be there when the best of the best gather in the Lone Star State next month. (Record as of Tuesday morning)

Record: 34-22
Last Power Ranking: T-5

First-time All-Star candidate: RHP Reynaldo López

López, 30, had been shifted into a relief role in recent years and put together solid numbers for the White Sox and Angels. But he never lost faith in his ability to start, a belief that the Braves have indulged since signing López to a three-year, $30 million contract last winter. The gamble looks like a good one so far. López entered Sunday’s games leading the National League with a 1.73 ERA. Atlanta has been cautious about his usage, affording him extra rest as he re-adjusts to starting. For a team that misses Spencer Strider, López has filled some of the void. — Andy McCullough

The latest hits

ICYMI, our national writers weighed in with what they are hearing and seeing

1. Jim Bowden on Braves’ deadline needs

On Monday, our resident ex-GM organized the 30 teams into trade deadline tiers: buyers, sellers and those in between. He slotted the Braves with the buyers.

The Braves will try to overcome the losses of two of the sport’s best after ace Spencer Strider and reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered season-ending injuries. They have fallen behind the Phillies in the division but sit atop the NL wild-card standings. To get back to the playoffs, they will need the trio of Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson and Austin Riley to step up in the lineup and their starting pitchers to stay healthy and deliver. Remember, the Braves lost Acuña to season-ending ACL surgery three years ago and won the World Series, so it’s still possible.