Editor’s note: We’re thrilled to introduce Jesús Cano as our Atlanta Braves beat writer. A native of Pachuca, Mexico, Cano previously covered prospects for Baseball America. This is his first story for The Athletic.
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss may have preferred to wait a little longer for the club to reinstate closer Raisel Iglesias from the 10-day injured list. But a bullpen meltdown in which Atlanta blew a lead on the way to a one-run loss to the Mariners in Seattle on Monday night forced the team to take quicker action.
Iglesias, who was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation on April 21, was activated on Tuesday afternoon. In a corresponding move, the Braves designated veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco for assignment.
The move is crucial for the Braves because, despite owning the best record in baseball at 25-11, the team has been plagued by injuries all season, particularly on the pitching side. The loss to the Mariners could serve as a warning shot to the club’s thin depth at the moment.
With Tyler Kinley and Aaron Bummer having each pitched in the last two games, Weiss will be forced to navigate a high-wire act over the next two days with a depleted bridge to the ninth inning.
The immediate tactics have to change. The training wheels need to come off for Reynaldo López, so he’s available for crucial back-to-back appearances to steady the ship in the late innings.
Unleashing López in that way is critical while young high-leverage assets like pitcher Didier Fuentes require careful protection from overexposure, and while the Braves await the return of Dylan Dodd, who began a rehab assignment on Tuesday.
Iglesias’ return could also affect the starting rotation.
Weiss indicated that veteran Martin Pérez may be called upon to make a start later this week. The ripple effect could be felt in the relief corps, with Grant Holmes being sent to the bullpen to improve that group’s versatility.
It’s key for Iglesias and the Braves to structurally reshape a fragile pitching staff on the fly. If Holmes shifts to relief, López executes, Iglesias’ arm holds up and Robert Suarez remains available for a high-leverage role, Monday’s panic might leave the Braves with a stronger bullpen than the one they started the month with.