A.J. Minter collected his first save Monday as he continues to shake off the rust from a stint on the injured list.
Minter was sidelined with a sore shoulder and missed the first week of the season. His first two appearances were below his standards: He issued two walks before slamming the door on the Cubs, and he allowed the game-winning homer against the Marlins in his second outing.
Monday was his best inning. Minter tossed a scoreless ninth – pitching around an Ian Desmond double and helped by an outstanding Dansby Swanson diving grab – to save the 8-7 win in Colorado.
“It was good to see Minter come out and get a safe,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s gotten progressively better as we’ve gotten him out there.”
The Braves need Minter at full capacity. Their bullpen has been the shakiest area of the roster through 11 games. They’re counting on Minter and Arodys Vizcaino as more reliable options at the back of a bullpen riddled with unknowns.
“I feel good physically,” Minter said. “Velocity was back to where it was, where I wanted it to be. Stuff was there. (Starlin) Castro (of the Marlins) had a good at-bat against me, fouled some stuff off and got a good pitch to hit. Then (Jorge) Alfaro hit the pitch where it was pitched. He put a good swing on it.
“I’m behind compared to the other pitches, but I still feel good. My shoulder feels good. My pitches, my change-up, so I just have to go out and get my outings in.”
Minter pitched 61-1/3 innings in his first full season. The lefty posted a 3.23 ERA with 69 strikeouts. His 15 saves were the second most among rookie relievers.
