The Braves placed right-hander Arodys Vizcaino on the 15-disabled list Saturday and activated left-hander Eric O’Flaherty to take his place in the bullpen.
The Braves said Vizcaino suffered a strain to his right oblique muscle while pitching against the Rockies on Friday. Vizcaino left the game after throwing six pitches and failing to record an out.
Vizcaino has been the team’s closer for most of the season. He was dominant for the first two months, recovered after a lull in early June, but allowed eight runs (five earned) over 3 1/3 innings his past five appearances.
Vizcaino wasn’t available to pitch in the final series before the All-Star break because of a topical infection in his elbow. Braves interim manager Brian Snitker sent Vizcaino out to face the Rockies with the Braves trailing 7-2 in the ninth inning with the hope to get him back on track but the oblique injury derailed that plan.
Vizcaino said he first felt pain in his side while throwing his third pitch. Snitker said the injury is unfortunate, but that it could allow Vizcaino a chance to regroup after his rough stretch.
“The big thing — and I talked to him about this a few weeks ago — he’s a huge part of what we’re trying to do here,” Snitker said. “He’s a young kid that cares a lot, that wants to do well, and what he brings is very valuable to the Atlanta Braves for a long time.”
In 39 appearances this season Vizcaino, 25, has a 3.00 ERA with 10 saves in 13 chances. He had a 1.52 ERA in his first 23 appearances before a high walk rate contributed to inconsistent results.
Before last season baseball suspended Vizcaino 80 games for a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. He came back to post a 1.60 ERA in 36 appearances with 37 strikeouts and 13 walks in 33 2/3 innings.
The Braves placed O’Flaherty on the DL on June 13 with a right knee strain. He made six appearances while on rehabilitation assignment in the minor leagues.
O’Flaherty has posted a 6.52 ERA in 27 appearances this season.
“You get a little breather like this (and) it can be a reset, so that could benefit me,” O’Flaherty said.
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