Braves' A.J. Minter: Works ninth in non-save situation
Rotowire
Minter walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Thursday's during a 7-2 win over the Nationals.
Atlanta was only up 4-2 heading into the top of the ninth but tacked on three more runs in its half of the frame, erasing the save situation for Minter. It's still reassuring that he was the clear choice to close out of the game for manager Brian Snitker, but with Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) hoping to return in mid-April, there may be only a handful of save opportunities for Minter before he gets bumped back to a setup role.
... See More... See Less
Braves' A.J. Minter: Likely first in line for saves
Rotowire
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that Minter "obviously would be the obvious guy" to fill in at closer while Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is sidelined, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Snitker did backtrack a bit after that, adding that "it may be a matchup scenario-type thing." Still, it seems telling that Minter is the first guy that came to mind when the manager was asked the question, likely putting him at the top of the pecking order. Joe Jimenez is probably next in line. Atlanta is hopeful that Iglesias will need only a minimum stay on the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Braves' A.J. Minter: Could fill in at closer
Rotowire
Raisel Iglesias was diagnosed with low-grade shoulder inflammation Thursday and will begin the season on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports, and Minter could be in line for some saves while the closer is sidelined.
Iglesias will be shut down for at least the next week while he deals with the shoulder issue. Minter has had a rough spring but remains the probable fill-in option for Iglesias after posting a brilliant 2.06 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 94:15 K:BB over 70 innings during 2022. Joe Jimenez is also a candidate.
... See More... See Less
Braves' A.J. Minter: Clean outing Monday
Rotowire
Minter gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
Not that it means much, but Minter did pick up the save. The southpaw will be one of Raisel Iglesias' primary setup men this season and one of the top high-leverage options in the Atlanta bullpen, and in that role in 2022, Minter piled up a league-leading 35 holds with five wins and five saves in addition to his stellar 2.06 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 34.7 percent strikeout rate.
Braves' A.J. Minter: Avoids arbitration with Atlanta
Rotowire
Minter signed a one-year, $4.3 million contract with Atlanta on Friday to avoid arbitration.
Minter was one of the best relievers in baseball in 2022, collecting a 2.06 ERA, five saves and a 94:15 K:BB over 70 innings with a major-league leading 35 holds. He'll presumably enter 2023 in a high-leverage role once again, but behind Raisel Iglesias in the pecking order for saves in Atlanta's bullpen.
Minter walked one and struck out one in a third of an inning Friday to record his fifth save of the season in an 8-4 win over the Nationals.
Will Smith began the ninth inning with Atlanta ahead 8-1, but his struggles forced manager Brian Snitker to turn to Minter to quash a Washington rally as Kenley Jansen had pitched each of the prior two days. Over his last 10 appearances, a stretch that includes all five of his saves plus three of his 18 holds, Minter sports a 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Braves' A.J. Minter: Picks up fourth save
Rotowire
Minter earned the save Tuesday, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning of a 4-1 win over the Mets.
Minter struck out Eduardo Escobar and then retired the last two batters on groundouts. The lefty has picked up three saves while Kenley Jansen (chest) has been on the injured list. With Jansen likely to return Wednesday, Minter should return to a setup role and may receive the occasional save chance.
Minter saved Saturday's 4-3 win against the Nationals, allowing two hits while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Minter was called upon to protect a one-run lead and delivered, although the final out came with Josh Bell at the plate and two runners on base. Both Minter and Will Smith have picked up saves with Kenley Jansen (chest) injured and there could be a few more opportunities with Jansen set to return July 12. Minter has been excellent with a 1.70 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 37 innings across 40 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Braves' A.J. Minter: Picks up save
Rotowire
Minter picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals, allowing no runs on one hit while striking out one and walking none across one inning.
Minter picked up his second save of the season in Wednesday's outing. Both of his saves have come with Kenley Jansen on the injured list. Prior to Jansen's stint on the IL, Minter was used primarily as a set-up man, and he will likely return to that role once Jansen returns. Minter has pitched well this year, as his ERA sits at 1.80.
