Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) to open season on IL
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Just when it appeared just like the Braves would possibly enter the season with none vital well being considerations, nearer Raisel Iglesias revealed he’s coping with a sore proper shoulder.
Iglesias knowledgeable the Braves of the discomfort on Wednesday and he underwent a MRI that confirmed no structural harm. The veteran reliever will start the season on the 15-day injured record with what’s being termed low-grade shoulder irritation, an ailment that will require only a couple weeks of relaxation.
“Hopefully, we can get ahead of it and not let it be something [serious],” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “It’s just a matter of shutting him down, and hopefully, we can get him [back] sooner than later.”
Iglesias made 4 appearances this spring, with the latest on March 13. But Snitker stated he didn’t learn about any shoulder points till after the reliever performed catch and reported the soreness on Wednesday.
With Iglesias sidelined, Atlanta may give the closing duties to A.J. Minter, who served in that position throughout parts of the 2018 and ‘19 seasons. The left-hander tallied 5 saves whereas posting a 2.06 ERA over a career-high 70 innings (75 appearances) final 12 months.
Other choices embody Kirby Yates, Joe Jiménez or Nick Anderson. Yates is a former All-Star nearer who has began to look extra reliable as he additional distances himself from present process Tommy John surgical procedure for a second time in 2021. Jiménez nonetheless seems to be righting himself after present process spinal surgical procedure this offseason.
Anderson was optioned on Monday, however he may return to take Iglesias’ roster spot. The once-elite reliever has pitched successfully over the previous couple of weeks. His demotion didn’t appear to be performance-related, however appeared to have extra to do with him having two remaining choices.
“Minter has closed,” Snitker stated. “He would be the obvious guy. It may be a matchup scenario type of thing. You just have to audible with the guys you have and see.”
Iglesias was acquired from the Angels on the 2022 Trade Deadline to function Kenley Jansen’s setup man earlier than assuming the nearer’s position as soon as Jansen exited as a free agent this previous winter.
Iglesias posted a 0.34 ERA over 26 1/3 innings for Atlanta through the common season, then made two postseason appearances. He labored a scoreless inning in Game 2 of the National League Division Series earlier than permitting one run on three hits whereas recording only one out in Game 4 in opposition to the Phillies.
