Injured Braves reliever Darren O’Day began his rehab assignment Friday. No, your eyes don’t deceive you.
O’Day, 36, hasn’t yet pitched in a Braves uniform since joining the club at last year’s trade deadline. O’Day, who carries a hefty salary of $9 million this season, was part of the Orioles’ Kevin Gausman package, included as a salary dump while sparing the Braves a more significant prospect cost. He was out for the season with a hamstring tear.
What wasn’t expected at that time was that O’Day would outlast Gausman, who was relinquished to the Reds on waivers earlier this month.
Day pitched in one game across spring training, plagued by a forearm issue. The team designated this weekend as the start for his rehab assignment with the rookie-level Gulf Coast Braves, and if all goes well, he could join the club sometime after rosters expand in September, adding another veteran with a track record to an overhauled bullpen.
O’Day pitched Friday, striking out two in a scoreless inning (eight pitches). Manager Brian Snitker anticipates anywhere from 6-8 appearances for O’Day before he’s potentially promoted.
The right-hander is scheduled to pitch again Tuesday before shifting his rehab to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he’ll pitch Friday.
Outfielder Austin Riley, sidelined by an LCL tear, also began a rehab assignment with Single-A Rome. Riley avoided serious injury and could also return in September.
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