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The Nationals transferred Waldichuk (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Richard Lovelady. Waldichuk is likely headed for Tommy John surgery, though he will receive a second opinion before a final decision is made.
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Nationals' Ken Waldichuk: Could be headed for elbow surgery
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Waldichuk, who was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Monday, is set to receive a second medical opinion on his left forearm injury after a doctor recommended him for Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Waldichuk previously underwent the procedure in May 2024, resulting in him missing that entire season before he returned to action in the minors last June. The southpaw struggled at the Triple-A level in 2025 but was able to make enough of an impression in spring training to secure a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, only to go down with the forearm injury during his appearance in Sunday's win over the Brewers. Given the lengthy recovery timeline for Tommy John surgery along with the murky track record of pitchers who have had the procedure twice, Waldichuk is likely eager to avoid another operation and hoping that treating the injury with rest and rehab is a feasible option. Regardless of what treatment plan he ultimately chooses, Waldichuk appears to be headed for an extended absence.
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Nationals' Ken Waldichuk: Hits shelf with forearm tightness
Rotowire
The Nationals placed Waldichuk on the 15-day injured list Monday due to left forearm tightness.
Waldichuk was pulled early from his relief appearance in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Brewers after skipping a pitch to Milwaukee's Brice Turang and immediately motioning for team trainers to check him out. While the Nationals have determined that Waldichuk is tending to a forearm injury, he'll likely be sent in for further imaging as Washington looks to determine its severity. The southpaw previously underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2024, and even if Waldichuk doesn't require another forearm operation this time around, the Nationals are likely to proceed conservatively with his recovery program.
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Nationals' Ken Waldichuk: Exits with apparent arm injury
Rotowire
Waldichuk was removed in the bottom of the seventh inning of Sunday's game against the Brewers after suffering an apparent forearm/elbow injury, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports. He was charged with an earned run on one hit and one walk over 1.2 innings of relief.
Waldichuk entered the game in place of starter Zack Littell in the bottom of the sixth inning, working around a base hit to deliver a clean frame. He came back for the seventh and retired the first two batters he faced, only to exit the game midway through his matchup with Brice Turang after skipping a pitch. Waldichuk was seen pointing toward his upper forearm when a trainer came to visit him on the mound, though the Nationals have yet to provide a diagnosis for his injury. The southpaw previously underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow in May 2024.
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Nationals' Ken Waldichuk: Struggling in long relief role
Rotowire
Waldichuk was charged with a blown save Monday, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in a 9-6 win over the Cardinals. He struck out two.
Both hits off Waldichuk left the yard, as Ramon Urias took him deep in the sixth inning before Jordan Walker swatted a fastball over the right-field fence to lead off the eighth. Waldichuk has worked more than one inning in all four of his appearances to begin the season, but he's been far from effective with a 7.04 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB in 7.2 innings. The 28-year-old southpaw has minor-league options remaining, so he could be the next pitcher cycled out of the Nationals' bullpen when the club needs a fresh arm.
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Nationals' Ken Waldichuk: Making case for roster spot
Rotowire
Waldichuk gave up two hits and struck out six without walking anyone over 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
The 28-year-old southpaw still got to face some quality big-league hitters after he entered the game to begin the bottom of the fifth inning -- he struck out Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker back-to-back in the sixth -- and Waldichuk built up to 41 pitches (28 strikes) before exiting. Waldichuk was once a promising Yankees prospect many years and injuries ago, and since being claimed off waivers by the Nationals in early February, he's posted a 1.35 ERA and 8:3 K:BB over 6.2 spring frames. Washington's Opening Day rotation seems set after the Zack Littell signing, but Waldichuk might be putting himself forward as a long-relief candidate in the big-league bullpen. More likely, he'll be optioned to Triple-A Rochester and stay stretched out to be on call in case injuries hit the starting staff.
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Nationals' Ken Waldichuk: Scooped on waivers by Nationals
Rotowire
The Nationals claimed Waldichuk off waivers from the Rays on Thursday.
It's the fourth organization Waldichuk has been in this offseason. The left-hander struggled in 2025 in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, posting an 8.65 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 51.0 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas. However, Waldichuk boasts a career 33.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors, so he could become useful rotation depth for the Nationals as he further distances himself from surgery.
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Rays' Ken Waldichuk: Booted from 40-man roster
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Waldichuk was designated for assignment by the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Waldichuk will lose out on his 40-man roster spot to make room for the addition of Ben Williamson, who was acquired earlier Monday from Seattle. Waldichuk spent the majority of his 2025 season at Triple-A, posting an 8.65 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 51.0 innings (15 starts).
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Rays' Ken Waldichuk: Dealt to Tampa Bay
Rotowire
The Rays acquired Waldichuk and Brett Wisely from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Waldichuk had been a waiver claim of Atlanta last week and he's now on the move again. The left-hander struggled in his first year back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, posting an 8.65 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 64:42 K:BB across 51 innings at the Triple-A level. However, Waldichuk boasts a career 33.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors, so the Rays felt he was worth a flyer. Waldichuk has minor-league options remaining and is likely to begin the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Durham.
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Braves' Ken Waldichuk: Removed from 40-man
Rotowire
Atlanta designated Waldichuk for assignment Saturday.
Just two days after being claimed off waivers from the Athletics on Thursday, Waldichuk will once again enter the waiver process following Atlanta's addition of Tyler Kinley on Saturday. After missing the entire 2024 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, the 28-year-old Waldichuk returned to action at Triple-A last season but struggled with an 8.65 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 51 innings.
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Braves' Ken Waldichuk: Grabbed off waivers by Atlanta
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Atlanta claimed Waldichuk off waivers from the Athletics on Thursday.
Waldichuk was sidelined for a year-and-a-half following Tommy John surgery and posted an 8.65 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 64:42 K:BB across 51 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025 after returning. The lefty boasts a career 33.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors and has minor-league options remaining, so it's not a surprise he didn't pass through waivers. Waldichuk will likely begin 2026 in the Triple-A Gwinnett rotation.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Scrubbed from 40-man roster
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The Athletics designated Waldichuk for assignment Monday.
The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jeff McNeil (shoulder), who was acquired via trade. Waldichuk missed all of 2024 and the first half of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he posted an 8.65 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 64:42 K:BB across 51 innings this past season at Triple-A Las Vegas. The lefty will turn 28 in January and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2023, but with a career 33.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors and team control through 2029, he could draw interest via trade or waivers.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Staying with Athletics
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Waldichuk and the Athletics avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Friday.
Waldichuk spent the first half of the 2025 regular season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in May of 2024. He was activated from the 60-day IL in mid-July and spent the rest of the year in the minors with Triple-A Las Vegas, where he posted a 2-6 record across 16 games (15 starts) with an 8.65 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 64:42 K:BB across 51 innings. Waldichuk last saw major-league action in 2023 with the Athletics, and he'll look to impress the team enough during spring training to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster for 2026.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Athletics activated Waldichuk (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery last May and had spent all season on the injured list up to this point. He kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment in late June and tallied a 7.63 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 17:16 K:BB over 15.1 innings spanning six appearances between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The lefty threw 141 frames for the Athletics in 2023 and could certainly make his way back to the big club in due time, but he'll likely first need to harness his control issues in the minors before getting a look in the MLB rotation.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Reaches third inning in rehab start
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks while striking out one batter over 2.1 innings in his rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Las Vegas.
After tossing three shutout innings in his first rehab outing with Single-A Stockton on June 22, Waldichuk moved up to Triple-A for his second appearance. Though he wasn't nearly as efficient Saturday as he had been in his previous outing, Waldichuk pushed up his pitch count from 42 to 51. The Athletics appear prepared to let Waldichuk get stretched out for a starting role during his rehab assignment, but his performance will likely determine whether he enters the big-league rotation once he's activated from the 60-day injured list. Waldichuk has been on the shelf all season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last May.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Set for another rehab start
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Waldichuk (elbow) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit while hitting a batter and striking out four in a rehab start with Single-A Stockton on Sunday. He will now shift his minor-league rehab assignment to Las Vegas as he reaches the final stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which took place in May 2024. Waldichuk last pitched with the Athletics in 2023, posting a 5.36 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 132 strikeouts over 141 innings in 35 appearances, including 22 starts.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Beginning assignment Sunday
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Stockton on Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk has been throwing against live hitters since the end of May, and he's now been given the green light to return to competitive action. The 27-year-old hasn't pitched in a game at any level since 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2024, so he will likely require a relatively long rehab assignment before he makes his season debut for the A's.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Throws live BP session
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Waldichuk (elbow) threw a live batting practice session at the Athletics' spring training complex Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk's throwing session consisted entirely of fastballs and changeups, so he'll still need to throw breaking pitches against hitters before the Athletics clear him for a rehab assignment. The southpaw is bouncing back from May 2024 Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until July.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Covers 30 pitches in side session
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) threw his most recent bullpen session Saturday and is targeting a return from the 60-day injured list before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk utilized his full arsenal during a 30-pitch bullpen session this past Tuesday, but it's unclear if he was able to increase his pitch count during his latest session over the weekend. Regardless, Waldichuk seems to be progressing well in his recovery from his May 15, 2024 Tommy John surgery, and he could be cleared to start facing hitters within the next few weeks. The 27-year-old lefty has operated mainly as a starter during his time in the big leagues, but a relief role could represent Waldichuk's most realistic path to contributing for the Athletics in 2025.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Bullpen session on tap
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday.
Waldichuk is expected to mix in fastballs and changeups during his upcoming mound session. He's been throwing bullpens since early March as the most recent step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and it's still unclear when he might be cleared to face live hitters.
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