The search for the fifth starter for the Atlanta Braves continues. The latest candidate, Hurston Waldrep, failed to get the job done on Sunday after melting down vs the Nationals. Waldrep began strong but could not sustain success in the fourth inning and ultimately gave up seven runs.
After AJ Smith-Shawver went on the injured list and Spencer Schwellenbach did not make the most of his chances the team is now forced to once again look elsewhere. All of these starters have something in common: a flash of brilliance followed by one of those aforementioned meltdowns. That is the price to pay when rolling the dice on young arms to get the job done.
Waldrep and Schwellenbach may ultimately get more chances this season, and Smith-Shawever when he's healthy, but it's not working right now. The team is already hindered by a vastly underperforming offense so they cannot afford these hiccups from young arms.
