Rookie reliever Arodys Vizcaino was activated on Triple-A Gwinnett roster Friday, ending his rehab assigiment one day before the completion of an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
Vizcaino, whose suspension was announced late in spring training, had a 3.06 ERA in six appearances on rehab with Single-A Rome and Double-A Mississippi, allowing seven hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts in seven innings. Players are allowed up to 16 days on minor league rehab assignments prior to the completion of PED suspensions.
The Braves haven’t said when Vizcaino will be brought up to the major league team, but it could be as soon as Saturday, the first day he’s eligible.
Rookie left-hander Andrew McKirahan, also serving an 80-game suspension for PEDs, is set to begin his minor league rehab assignment in preparation of an expected return to the Braves on July 20, the fourth game after the All-Star break. McKirahan had made three major league apparances for the Braves when his suspension was levied after the 12th game of the season, for a positive drug test taken while still with the Marlins during spring training.
The Braves claimed McKirahan off waivers in the last week of camp. Because McKiranan, 25, had been a Rule 5 selection from the Cubs in December, he must return to the Braves’ 25-man roster as soon as his suspension ends and be kept on the roster all season, or be offered back to the Cubs at half of the original $50,000 claiming price.
Unlike McKirahan, Vizcaino still has minor league options, meaning he could be kept at Triple-A or sent back to the minors at any point this season.
Moylan on DL: Braves veteran reliever Peter Moylan, attempting a comeback from his second Tommy John elbow surgery, was placed on the Triple-A Gwinnett disabled list for a mild hamstring strain. The 36-year-old Aussie sidearmer has a 4.09 ERA in 11 relief appearances at Gwinnett, with 10 strikeouts and six walks in 11 innings. Moylan said his arm feels great and that his only issues have been with ironing out his pitching mechanics, which he said have improved recently.
