ATLANTA -- Less than two weeks after returning to the Braves' bullpen from an oblique strain, Arodys Vizcaíno landed on the disabled list again on Tuesday, this time with right shoulder inflammation.
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Vizcaino started feeling discomfort in his throwing shoulder after his most recent appearance on Aug. 24 vs. the D-backs. But with the DL move being made retroactive to last week, Snitker added the reliever will likely be able to return when he's eligible to be activated on Sept. 9.
"I think it's just more of a let-it-calm-down type thing," said Snitker about Vizcaino's injury. "It's just a time thing right now. Just give him a few days before he plays catch again and we put him on the mound. … We just want him feeling good as he goes into the offseason."
A strong finish to the season might help overshadow some of the 25-year-old's recent issues.
Vizcaino looked like a potential All-Star candidate through the first two months of the season, posting a 1.52 ERA and converting six of seven save opportunities in his first 23 games. But over his next 16 appearances, he went 0-4 with a 5.84 ERA before landing on the DL on July 16.
With Vizcaino sidelined, Jim Johnson was tabbed as the Braves' closer, a role the veteran reliever held onto upon Vizcaino's return from the DL on Aug. 18.
Vizcaino continued to struggle in the four appearances he made before his most recent injury, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on six hits and four walks in just 2 2/3 innings.
Worth noting
Placing Vizcaino on the DL was one of a flurry of roster moves made by Atlanta on Tuesday. The team also recalled John Gant and Shae Simmons from Triple-A Gwinnett while choosing to option Brandon Cunniff.
With September callups looming, Snitker said Mike Foltynewicz will start Thursday's series finale against the Padres on normal rest. The right hander, who missed a month of the season with right elbow soreness, has only pitched 102 2/3 innings this year and will likely continue to take the mound every fifth day to keep building momentum heading into the offseason.
"If he makes all of the rest of his starts and goes deep into them, he's not going to have an exorbitant amount of innings anyway," Snitker said. "I think keeping him, especially the way he's going, as regular as we can, the better it will be for him."
Snitker also said A.J. Pierzynski will likely be activated from the DL on Thursday. The 39-year-old catcher has been sidelined for about two weeks with a strained left hamstring, but participated in batting practice at Turner Field ahead of Tuesday's game.