Braves reliever AJ Minter will undergo surgery to address a left hip problem, manager Brian Snitker told reporters (including Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Snitker didn't know if the procedure would end Minter's season, but that at least appears to be less than two months into the game.
Atlanta placed the southpaw on the 15-day disabled list on Monday. It was the second time this year that he had a problem with his left hip. Minter missed a month between the end of May and the beginning of July. He played six weeks before an injury necessitated another shutout. Minter visited a specialist this week and tests revealed he would need surgery.
If this ends his season, it could also mark the end of his tenure in Atlanta. Minter will be a free agent for the first time in his career outside of next season. The Braves haven't been afraid to invest in their bullpen, so maybe they'll make an effort to keep him. They already have it Raisel Iglesias, Joe Jiménez, Pierce Johnson and (with affordable club option) Aaron Bummer under contract for next year. They will also have to make some decisions about their circulation and possibly look to improve Orlando Arcia in a short time.
A second-round pick in 2015, Minter has been one of the league's better setup options in his career. He had a disastrous 2019 season but otherwise allowed fewer than four earned runs in nine on the year. Minter usually pitches in mid- to high-end locations. He had another good season when healthy, working to a 2.62 ERA in 34 1/3 frames. His strikeout rate of 26.1% is down slightly from the 2022-23 level but remains a few points better than the league average.
The Braves have Bummer again Dylan Lee like their two southern feet in the bullpen. Bummer had a solid year after being traded to the White Sox in the offseason, striking out 28% of opponents with a 3.74 ERA. Lee was arguably even better, working at a 1.96 ERA while striking out nearly 27% of the batters he faced in 46 frames. That's still a good duo, but losing Minter for a stretch run cuts down the middle innings at a time when Atlanta is clinging to a playoff spot. The Braves head into tonight's game in San Francisco with a two-game cushion over the Mets for the final Wild Card spot.
Source link
