Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) to open season on IL
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NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Just when it looked like the Braves might enter the season without any significant health concerns, closer Raisel Iglesias revealed he is dealing with a sore right shoulder.
Iglesias informed the Braves of the discomfort on Wednesday and he underwent a MRI that showed no structural damage. The veteran reliever will begin the season on the 15-day injured list with what is being termed low-grade shoulder inflammation, an ailment that may require just a couple weeks of rest.
¡°Hopefully, we can get ahead of it and not let it be something [serious],¡± Braves manager Brian Snitker said. ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of shutting him down, and hopefully, we can get him [back] sooner than later.¡±
Iglesias made four appearances this spring, with the most recent on March 13. But Snitker said he didn¡¯t know about any shoulder issues until after the reliever played catch and reported the soreness on Wednesday.
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With Iglesias sidelined, Atlanta could give the closing duties to A.J. Minter, who served in that role during portions of the 2018 and ¡®19 seasons. The left-hander tallied five saves while posting a 2.06 ERA over a career-high 70 innings (75 appearances) last year.
Other options include Kirby Yates, Joe Jiménez or Nick Anderson. Yates is a former All-Star closer who has started to look more dependable as he further distances himself from undergoing Tommy John surgery for a second time in 2021. Jim¨¦nez still appears to be righting himself after undergoing spinal surgery this offseason.
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Anderson was optioned on Monday, but he could return to take Iglesias¡¯ roster spot. The once-elite reliever has pitched effectively over the past couple of weeks. His demotion didn¡¯t seem to be performance-related, but seemed to have more to do with him having two remaining options.
¡°Minter has closed,¡± Snitker said. ¡°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 at the 2022 Trade Deadline to serve as Kenley Jansen¡¯s setup man before assuming the closer¡¯s role once Jansen exited as a free agent this past winter.
Iglesias posted a 0.34 ERA over 26 1/3 innings for Atlanta during the regular season, then made two postseason appearances. He worked a scoreless inning in Game 2 of the National League Division Series before allowing one run on three hits while recording just one out in Game 4 against the Phillies.