CLEARWATER, Fla. – Just when it was looking as if struggling left-hander Josh Outman was in danger of getting released by the Braves, it appears instead he’ll start the season on their 15-day disabled list.
Outman flew back to Atlanta on Wednesday to have his sore pitching shoulder examined, Braves assistant general manager John Coppolella said. There was no update Wednesday afternoon and the Braves said there was no indication of the severity of the injury.
He has an 8.55 ERA and .355 opponents’ average, and Outman allowed at least one run in each of his past four appearances, giving up 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings during that period. He complained of arm soreness after his appearance Thursday against the Pirates.
The Braves released struggling veteran lefty James Russell on Sunday, making the move before opening day, which obligated them to pay only one-fourth of his $2.425 million contract. They claimed lefty reliever Andrew McKirahan off waivers from the Marlins on Wednesday and will have to keep the former Rule 5 draft pick on the 25-man roster all season, or offer him back to the Cubs.
The Braves signed Outman to a one-year, $925,000 contract in early January, after the 30-year-old went 4-0 with a 2.86 ERA in 40 appearances for the Yankees and Indians in 2014. His .229 opponents’ average included .169 (10-for-59) by left-handed batters, and his .186 opponents’ average against lefty hitters since his debut in 2008 ranks eighth among relievers who’ve faced at least 300 batters in that span.
Outman’s contract includes up to $475,000 in additional performance incentives.
