Braves closer A.J. Minter has been sidelined with tightness in his back, though he isn’t expected to need a stint on the disabled list.
Minter last pitched Saturday, allowing three runs in two-thirds of an inning as the Rockies overcame a three-run deficit to beat the Braves, one of four wins they claimed against the home team over the weekend.
“My last outing left a sour taste in my mouth,” Minter said. “I just want to get back out there, but again, be fair to my teammates and not let a situation like that happen again as long as I’m an Atlanta Brave.”
The 24-year-old played catch Tuesday. He first experienced a back strain earlier in the month when the Braves were in New York. It’s gotten progressively worse, prompted the Braves to temporarily sideline him.
Minter expects he’ll be available Wednesday or Thursday. The Braves play four games in Miami beginning Thursday.
“He’s progressing and getting better,” manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s going to be day-to-day with him and with us too. … Probably a situation where if he had to pitch, he would. It’s not that bad.”
The lefty didn’t use the ailment as an excuse for Saturday’s drubbing. It wasn’t something conscious to Minter while on the mound, he said, though he began feeling fatigued.
“But hey, it’s the end of the season. Everyone’s going to be banged up, little bruises here and there,” Minter said. “I just want to be fair to my teammates and go out there and make sure I’m 100 percent.”
The Braves’ bullpen can’t afford to lose Minter, especially with Arodys Vizcaino still weeks away from a return. The unit has been inundated with highs and lows, but midseason additions Jonny Venters and Brad Brach have made it a more formidable group.
Minter has thrived since assuming closer duties following Vizcaino requiring a DL stint. Minter converted 24 consecutive hold-or-save opportunities, the third longest streak in Braves history, before botching two of his past five saves.
Overall Minter has struck out 57 and walked 16 in 50 innings. He has 11 saves, the most by a rookie left-hander since the Astros’ Al Osuna converted 12 chances in 1991.
