The Atlanta Braves had to shuffle around their bench this afternoon when they placed Brian Anderson on the 10-day injured list with a bacterial infection. To counter Anderson's move to the IL, Atlanta recalled infielder Luke Williams from Triple-A Gwinnett.
The #Braves today recalled INF Luke Williams to Atlanta and placed INF Brian Anderson on the 10-day injured list, backdated to June 22, with a bacterial infection. Additionally, the club transferred the rehabilitation assignment for LHP A.J. Minter to Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 25, 2024
Williams recalled, Minter rehab transferred to Gwinnett
Williams has appeared in seven games in 2024 for the Braves, although he's totaled just four plate appearances on the season. HIs season numbers at Gwinnett are more than respectable, as he owns a .289/.349/.513 slash line with seven homers and 15 stolen bases in 39 games. He will provide much needed infield depth after starting shortstop, Orlando Arcia had to exit yesterday's game early due to dizziness.
Speculation began when Arcia left the game yesterday because of his struggles at the plate this year, but manager Brian Snitker said in his postgame interview that Arcia looked dehydrated. Arcia is expected to get the day off on Tuesday, and with that being the case the Braves needed to call-up someone who could handle shortstop should something happen to tonight's presumed starter Zack Short.
In some positive injury news, the latest update on key bullpen arm, A.J. Minter was encouraging. Minter pitched one scoreless inning of relief for Rome on Saturday night, and he is now scheduled to make an appearance for Gwinnett tonight.
It's likely the Braves will get Minter's services back at some point during the homestand this weekend. Getting a key late-inning arm like Minter back will only benefit an already strong bullpen unit in Atlanta.
Since Minter was placed on the IL with hip inflammation on May 30, Atlanta's relievers rank fifth in ERA (2.77), eighth in FIP (3.55), fifth in xFIP (3.49), fifth in K% (27.2%), and third in SIERA (3.11). There's not a ton of room for improvement there, but Minter's presence will certainly improve those marks.