As it turns out, Arodys Vizcaino isn’t past his shoulder problems.
The right-handed reliever was placed on the 10-day injured list (formerly the disabled list) Sunday with right-shoulder inflammation. It’s the third time he’s been sidelined with shoulder problems since last season.
“I warmed him up yesterday in the ninth inning and it didn’t feel right,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Shoulder, there’s still something going on. So we’re just going to get him checked out and see where we’re at with him. I know it’s killing him. The kid wants to pitch so bad.”
Vizcaino has appeared in four games this season, allowing a run, striking out six and walking three in four innings. But he hasn’t pitched since April 7.
The team will continue using A.J. Minter in the ninth-inning role, alongside a bevy of other candidates, including Chad Sobotka, Wes Parsons and Jesse Biddle, who could get looks in the role.
“It’s been bothering him,” Snitker said. “We kept waiting for his velocity to spike. Thought maybe once he got in the real games it would. But I think when he was warming up last night, he couldn’t do it anymore.”
When healthy, Vizcaino has been a crucial piece at the back of the bullpen. Across 2017-18, he produced a 2.54 ERA with 30 saves in 101 games. He missed significant time last season with shoulder issues, but the Braves elected to retain him with a $4.8 million tender.
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