The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Closer Vizcaino could come off DL on Sunday
Right-hander will give shoulder a test Friday in St. Louis.
The Braves plan to bring closer Arodys Vizcaino off the 10-day disabled list Sunday at St. Louis, the first day he’s eligible to be activated.
“Viz” has been dealing with shoulder inflammation and was placed on the DL this past Sunday retroactively to June 21, the day after he last pitched in a game. He had a cortisone injection in the shoulder Thursday.
He played catch and long-tossed in the outfield in recent days and felt progressively better. Vizcaino will accompany the Braves on a three-city trip that starts Friday in St. Louis, where the Braves plan to have him throw off a mound that day for the first time since he was placed on the DL.
“Get him on the mound and have him torque it up,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Tuesday. “I don’t see any reason why right now he shouldn’t be ready to come off (Sunday) when his (minimum DL) time’s up…. We want to amp him up pretty good Friday and then (give him) Saturday off, and then hopefully (activate Sunday). But he’s feeling a lot better.”
Vizcaino has been impressive for the most part this season, converting 15 of 17 save opportunities and posting a 1.82 ERA and .204 opponents’ average in 30 appearances with 33 strikeouts, 12 walks and two homers allowed in 29⅔ innings. After giving up three runs and four hits over consecutive appearances May 13-15, he converted all eight save opportunities in a span of 10
scoreless appearances before the shoulder issue cropped up following his most-recent appearance June 17.
He’s had two elbow surgeries and several other injuries including occasional shoulder soreness over the years. The Braves have to be mindful of his history and the shoulder situation and be careful not to overuse him, Snitker said this week.
“It’s just one of them times where (the shoulder) was barking,” Snitker said.
Acuna working way back: Ronald Acuna went 1 for 3 with an RBI in the first game of a doubleheader for Triple-A Gwinnett as the outfielder continued a rehabilitation assignment Monday.
Acuna had an RBI single to left field in the fourth inning of Gwinnett’s 4-1 loss to host Norfolk. He also had a walk and a strikeout as the designated hitter.
Acuna was not in the lineup of the second game of the doubleheader, a makeup from June 11.
Acuna went on the disabled list May 28 after sustaining a sprained knee ligament and knee and back contusions while running to first base in Boston.
The Braves’ top prospect is 2 for 13 in four games of the rehab stint. Acuna could remain with Gwinnett through its series with Norfolk, which ends Wednesday.