The Atlanta Braves are only nine games above .500, putting them in second place in the National League East. While their offense has been very inconsistent at times, a big reason for the Braves’ struggles is injuries. And on Thursday, they were dealt another, this time to a reliever.
Lefty A.J. Minter is heading to the 15-day IL with right hip inflammation, per Justin Toscano. Jimmy Herget was called up to replace Minter on the roster. He’s pitched three innings in 2024.
Minter has been a solid piece for Brian Snitker’s bullpen so far, compiling a 2.95 ERA and 5-3 record in 25 appearances. He’s struck out 23 hitters in 21.1 innings while issuing just five free passes. The southpaw is a reliable arm for the Braves who will be missed for the next couple of weeks. Minter is one of the longest-tenured Atlanta relievers who typically always puts his best foot forward.
Injuries are killing Braves
Spencer Strider is out for the season with Tommy John. Ronald Acuna Jr just tore his ACL again. Those are arguably the Braves’ two best players done for the year. On top of that, All-Star catcher Sean Murphy has played three games, while Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley also spent time on the shelf for a few weeks. It doesn’t stop there, either. Youngster AJ Smith-Shawver just suffered an oblique injury that will likely sideline him for months.
It’s not like Atlanta can do anything about all of these health problems, but there is no question it’s very unfortunate. Despite all this, this is still a top-10 ball club offensively and defensively. They rank eighth in runs scored with 4.5 per contest while posting a 3.48 ERA, which is seventh in the big leagues.
That’s much in part due to a rather consistent rotation. Max Fried and Chris Sale both have ERAs under three, while Reynaldo Lopez has proven to be a pleasant surprise with a 1.75 ERA in nine starts.
Perhaps the most gut-wrenching injury of them all is the Acuna Jr one. Sure, the Braves won the World Series without him in 2021, but they also had Freddie Freeman at the time and more outfield depth. Although Acuna Jr was hitting .250, it was only a matter of time until he figured it out offensively after his historic 2023 campaign.
Acuna Jr’s Braves teammates felt terrible for him, including his good friend Ozzie Albies:
“For him to go through this again, I know it’s hard. It’s not something easy. I’ve been hurt myself, so I know how it feels. It’s tough. And I know he’s just got to keep his mind ready and strong and do his rehab so he can be back next year, stronger than ever.”
Back to Minter. He could return earlier than 15 days, but the Braves will likely be cautious with the southpaw given his importance to the bullpen.
Atlanta will be looking to salvage a series split with the Washington Nationals on Thursday after losing two of the first three games. After that, the Oakland Athletics visit for a three-game set.
