Braves' rotation takes another hit with Pérez (back) placed on IL

ATLANTA --The Braves’ rotation depth was dealt another blow on Thursday, when it was learned that Martín Pérez will likely not be available during the first two rounds of the postseason.

The Braves placed Pérez on the 15-day injured list with lower back inflammation. The move was backdated to Monday, meaning the left-hander won't be eligible to return until Oct. 6, which is the same date Game 3 of the NL Division Series is scheduled.

“[Pérez] felt it during [Sunday’s start] in Houston,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It hasn’t responded well [to treatment]. He’s still feeling it.”

Pérez has posted a 3.04 ERA in 30 appearances (26 starts) for the Braves this year. There was an expectation that he or Grant Holmes would start Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series, if necessary.

The Braves can get through the best-of-three Wild Card Series with Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle and Holmes as their projected starters. But thanks to the recent injuries incurred by Pérez, Bryce Elder (arthroscopic knee surgery) and Reynaldo López (right shoulder inflammation), rookie JR Ritchie will enter the postseason as the fourth starter on Atlanta’s depth chart.