The Atlanta Braves have been snakebitten by injuries throughout the 2024 season, but on Saturday, they took a small step toward becoming whole again.
Left-handed setup man A.J. Minter, a longtime fixture of the Atlanta bullpen, is slated to begin a rehab assignment with the High-A Rome Emperors. The move was announced by the team's official social media account Saturday morning.
Minter, who last pitched on May 29, has been on the 15-day injured list with hip inflammation. He owns a 2.95 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 21.1 innings this season and a 3.32 ERA in his eight-year career, all with Atlanta.
It looks like a perfect time for the Braves to welcome Minter back, as the team is finally starting to hit its stride. Atlanta won its fourth game in a row with an 8-1 thumping of the New York Yankees Friday night and has cut the division lead of the rival Philadelphia Phillies to six games.
At the same time, the Braves' pitching staff has struggled with depth, switching around prospects in the back half of the rotation and giving spot starts to long relievers. Having an impact veteran to lock down the eighth inning will allow the rest of the pitching staff to hone in on roles earlier in games.
The Braves have not yet announced whether Minter will make additional rehab appearances beyond Saturday's outing in Rome. He is eligible to return from the IL at any time.
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