Sunday Morning Chop – Atlanta Braves News
By Fred Owens
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jason Grilli plans ot be the closer in 2016 after blowing out his Achilles tendon in Colorado early in 2015. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Braves have options, but Grilli gets first chance to reclaim closer role
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So while Arodys Vizcaino may have stepped in and provided a steady hand over the last two months of 2015, there is no controversy brewing over who will be on the mound in the ninth inning.
“I’m going into spring training thinking that Jason, if he is healthy and has a great spring training or a just a healthy spring training, we’ll give him that opportunity,” said Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. “He deserves that. He’s earned that.”. . .
Hart joked that he reached out to Grilli, when the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright — five months removed from the same injury as Grilli — returned to pitch in seven regular-season games and three more in the postseason.
“Grilli thinks he’s a tough guy and … I looked up Wainwright is throwing in the postseason,” Hart said. “I texted (Grilli) and said ‘Come on, I thought you were a tough guy? Wainwright is already out there dealing and you’re back home with you foot propped up.”
“He said ‘I’m ready to go. I can pitch right now.'” . . .
(Ed note: This isn’t or shouldn’t be a surprise. After Adam Wainwright returned so quickly from the same injury last year I said Grilli’s return to the closer’s role in the spring seemed likely and if not then soon after.; it’s only a matter of time. The Braves bullpen looks pretty full right now, candidates an incumbents include Arodys Vizcaino, newly acquired arms like Jose Ramirez, rule five claim Evan Rutckyj (root-ski), last year’s rule five choice Daniel Winkler – for at least two months, the newly reacquired lost cause Jim Johnson, Ian Krol – for now, he’s hopefully included in a trade like the in and out Gabe Speier – Matt Marksberry, Danny Burawa, Chris Withrow, Andrew McKirahan, Manny Banuelos and many more. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out,)