SEATTLE -- Less than 24 hours after blowing a 4-0, sixth-inning lead, the Braves activated closer Raisel Iglesias from the injured list and announced Dylan Dodd is beginning what should be a brief Minor League rehab assignment.
Iglesias was activated from the injured list on Tuesday morning and earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning in Atlanta's 3-2 win over Seattle. The veteran reliever spent the past two weeks resting a previously sore right shoulder. Carlos Carrasco was designated for assignment to create a roster spot.
The Braves provided other encouraging news by announcing Dodd will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. If all goes well, the left-handed reliever could be added to Atlanta’s bullpen before Friday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium.
Iglesias has allowed just five hits while recording 11 strikeouts over 8 2/3 scoreless innings this year. When he experienced shoulder tightness on April 18, he thought he might have slept in an awkward position. He threw a scoreless inning against the Phillies the next day, but was then placed on the 15-day IL.
Robert Suarez has filled the closer’s role over the past couple weeks. But the hard-throwing hurler will now return to the setup role that allows for him to face the toughest parts of an opposing lineup in either the seventh or eighth innings.
The Braves have lost just four of their past 19 games, but their bullpen has been short multiple times over the past week. Part of this has to do with two starters, Reynaldo López and Didier Fuentes, both currently being in the bullpen.
Fuentes has helped the Braves win multiple games while pitching out of the bullpen this year. While serving as a reliever, the 20-year-old hurler is minimizing his workload and improving the odds of still being strong during the latter part of the season.
The Braves have understandably stayed away from pitching Fuentes on back-to-back days. They have also done so with López since he was moved from the rotation to the bullpen last week.
Pérez was available to be used as a long reliever on Tuesday night. If he’s not used, he’ll replace Grant Holmes as the scheduled starter for Wednesday afternoon’s series finale against Seattle. Holmes’ move to the bullpen wouldn’t be a permanent one. The Braves would just prefer to have a left-hander start against the Mariners if possible.
Weiss has said he will begin using López on back-to-back days going forward. There will also likely be a point when Fuentes will return to a starting role at either the Triple-A or Major League level.
When Dodd is ready to return, the Braves will determine whether it’s best to keep Fuentes in Atlanta’s bullpen. By then, we’ll also know whether Pérez is moving back to the rotation or remaining in a long relief role.
There might be a point when the Braves are willing to cut ties with left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer, who has a 5.25 ERA through 16 appearances. But there’s also financial reasons to hope for a turnaround from the southpaw, who is making $9.5 million this year.