The Atlanta Braves placed reliever A.J. Minter on the IL Saturday morning. Minter had left last Saturday's game early with pectoral tightness but was listed day-to-day at the time. Apparently, Minter's shoulder was also bothering him, as the official reason for the IL stint is left shoulder inflammation.
After a rough stretch in May, Minter has been one of the Braves best relievers. Since the beginning of June, Minter has only allowed three runs in 14.2 innings (1.84 ERA and 2.53 FIP).
The #Braves today recalled RHP Dereck Rodríguez to Atlanta and placed LHP A.J. Minter on the 15-day injured list, backdated to July 12, with left shoulder inflammation. Additionally, LHP Max Fried’s rehabilitation assignment has been transferred to High-A Rome.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 15, 2023
The Braves recalled reliever Dereck Rodríguez to take Minter's spot on the roster. The team also officially announced Max Fried's start in Rome today, which was reported on a few days ago.
This is Rodríguez's third stint on the Braves' active roster this season, after being claimed from Minnesota off waivers in May, although he only made one appearance with the big league club. In Gwinnett this season, Rodríguez has a 6.75 ERA in 22.1 innings.
Braves bullpen injuries are stacking up
The Minter news comes two days after the Braves announced Nick Anderson would miss the next 60 days with a right shoulder strain.
The Braves have five relievers (including Tyler Matzek, who is out for the season) on the IL, with three currently on the 60-day IL. While the Braves relief corps has been excellent this season, with the second-best fWAR in baseball, the injuries to Minter and Anderson now mean that Iglesias is the only high-leverage reliever on the active roster.
With the trade deadline coming up in two weeks, it would not be surprising to see Anthopoulos add bullpen depth to the depleted bullpen. Danny Young and Darius Vines are the only relievers on the Braves' 40-man roster who are not on the active roster or on the IL.
Dylan Lee isn't expected back until August and Jesse Chavez is slowly making his way back from a shin injury.