Oct 10, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) during the team workout for the NLDS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: NLDS-Workouts
(New York, NY) — The rich get richer. Sorta?
Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, who’s been sidelined with shoulder inflammation, is taking the next step in his return, the team announced.
Iglesias will begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Gwinnett., joining center fielder Michael Harris II in Gwinnett, who is also nearing a return.
The closer presumably will need a few appearances under his belt before getting cleared to return, but Atlanta could certainly use some stability in the ninth inning.
The 33-year-old began the season on the injured list with what was described as “low-grade shoulder inflammation.”
Iglesias, 33, signed a four-year, $58M contract with the Angels in December 2021 and was acquired by Atlanta at the 2022 deadline for pitchers Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez.
He appeared in 28 games for the Braves after the trade and was exceptional, recording a 0.34 ERA in 26.1 inning pitched with 30 strikeouts to only five walks.
It seems reasonable to think Iglesias will be reinstated within a week or so, relegating A.J Minter back to the 8th inning.
