The Braves have their closer back.
Right-hander Raisel Iglesias returned from his rehabilitation assignment and was reinstated from the injured list Friday before the Braves began a home series against the Orioles. Iglesias hasn’t pitched this season after experienced shoulder soreness late in spring training.
“When you get a piece like that, it’s big,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Now we can slot guys back. It lengthens your bullpen and gets guys back (doing) things we like them to be able to do. We have a lot of options right now where guys can go in, clean up a mess and go back out. It’s good. And just like last year, it gives us a lot of good options in the seventh, even the sixth with some guys. It’s going to make us better.”
Iglesias, 33, pitched three innings during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett, striking out five without issuing a walk. He’s a welcome boost for a bullpen that has missed his reliability. Iglesias had a 0.34 ERA over 28 appearances after the Braves acquired him from the Angels at last season’s trade deadline.
The team optioned starting pitcher Dylan Dodd to open room for Iglesias. The Braves also recalled infielder Braden Shewmake, who was set for his MLB debut, and placed utilityman Ehire Adrianza on the injured list with right-elbow inflammation.
Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (concussion) began his rehab assignment with Gwinnett on Friday, meaning the Braves are getting closer to their All-Star catcher rejoining the mix, too.
“Very much (encouraged),” Snitker said. “He wanted to get in there and catch some innings just to see how he did feel, so that’s really good. He’s been hitting off the velocity machine. We’ve had him on the road - I know I like having him around - and they put him through the things like the doctor said. He was going to have to flush things out as he elevates his activity. He’s gotten to a really good point where he feels good and ready to go. I think the biggest thing with an injury like that is that the player is good with it and wants to get back in there.”
Outfielder Michael Harris (knee) is also progressing, but he won’t return before Sunday. “They put him through a workout (Friday), and we’ll stay away from him and check him out again (Saturday), just want things to tighten back up and not be a risk for something similar to what happened to him,” Snitker said.
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