SAN DIEGO — Even after losing closer Billy Wagner to retirement and setup man Takashi Saito to free agency, the Braves’ bullpen has been baseball’s best in 2011.
The only remaining question about the unit might be, can it hold up?
The relievers’ majors-leading 2.49 ERA was more than a quarter of a run better than No. 2 San Diego’s 2.77 before the Braves-Padres series opener late Friday at Petco Park.
Along with a strong starting rotation, the bullpen has been a primary reason the Braves had the National League’s second-best record (43-33) despite an inconsistent and injury-plagued offense.
But a look inside the numbers reveals a potential concern with the Braves’ bullpen: the heavy load handled by a workhorse trio and 34-year-old Scott Linebrink.
Before Friday, the Padres divvied up their heavy lifting between five relievers with 29 to 33 appearances and another, Chad Qualls, with a team-high 36.
The Braves, though, had four relievers with at least 34 appearances, while George Sherrill was the only other with more than 18. Sherrill had 28, but only 19 1/3 innings.
The Braves’ bullpen is led by second-year-sensation Jonny Venters and rookie Craig Kimbrel. Venters, has been the majors’ best and most-used reliever, with 47 1/3 innings in 42 appearances before Friday. No other reliever had 40 appearances or 44 innings.
Kimbrel had 39 appearances, tied for second-most in the majors, and his 38 innings were ninth-most.
“Like I tell [pitching coach] Roger [McDowell], and Roger tells the reliever: If you need an extra day, we’ll be more than happy to give you a day or two,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said, “rather than try to pitch with something and then lose you for 15.
“We try not to overuse anybody, but we’re aware of Venters’ 41 appearances and Kimbrel’s 39.”
Eric O’Flaherty, the other member of the trio, had pitched once in nine days before Friday because of recent back stiffness. The lefty’s 36 appearances still were tied for ninth-most in the NL and would lead the American League.
In the absence of O’Flaherty and Peter Moylan, recovering from back surgery, the Braves have used Linebrink more than anyone expected entering the season.
Linebrink, who hasn’t pitched in more than 57 games in the past four seasons, already had 34 appearances before Friday and was on pace for 72. That would be one shy of the career-high mark he ran up in three consecutive seasons with the Padres in 2004-06.
“I don’t really look at the pace of it. I look at where we’re at,” Linebrink said. “We’ve got a pretty good mix going on down there. I’m sure a lot of that was a result of O’Flaherty being down a few days. We’ve got him back now, so we’re at full strength.”
Mather a free agent
Joe Mather no longer is in the organization after choosing free agency rather than a return to Triple-A with the Braves.
The backup corner outfielder/infielder was designated for assignment Sunday by the Braves and chose free agency Thursday after clearing waivers. Mather, 28, had that right as a player who already had been outrighted to the minor leagues once this season.
The Braves claimed Mather off waivers from St. Louis in November and hoped to use him as a backup first baseman and outfielder. But the out-of-options player was sent to the minors after having a poor spring training and making it through waivers.
Added to the Braves’ major league roster early in the season, Mather hit .213 with one homer, nine RBIs and 23 strikeouts in 75 at-bats for Atlanta.
Hanson update
Tommy Hanson threw a side session in the bullpen just before Friday’s game, his first time throwing from the mound since going on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder tendinitis.
He is scheduled to start Tuesday at Seattle, the first day he’s eligible to come off the DL. Hanson had no discomfort the day after a flat-ground throwing session Wednesday and went into Friday’s session confident.
“Everything’s good,” said Hanson (8-4), whose 2.48 ERA ranked second in the NL before Friday, behind teammate Jair Jurrjens’ 2.11. “I don’t think there’s going to be any problems. I think it’s fine. It was just inflammation, and it went down. I don’t think it’s going to come back.”
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