Injuries & Moves: Vines optioned; Heller recalled

Injuries & Moves: Vines optioned; Heller recalled

September 3rd, 2023

LATEST NEWS

Sept. 2: RHP optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett; RHP recalled
Vines seemed to earn himself another start after he limited the Rockies to two runs over six innings during his MLB debut on Wednesday at Coors Field. But the Braves decided they needed another starter for the final two games of this weekend's series at Dodger Stadium. Heller posted a 4.40 ERA in 16 appearances for Atlanta earlier this year. He might be the odd man out when the Braves promote somebody to start Tuesday's series opener against the Cardinals. seems to be the most likely candidate to make that start.

Sept. 1: LHP activated from 60-day injured list; OF recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett
Lee will bid to once again become a key piece within what has been a strong Braves bullpen. The left-hander was shut down with shoulder discomfort in May and received a cortisone shot about a month later. He made seven rehab appearances for Gwinnett while completing his stay on the 60-day injured list. Lee could immediately be put back in high-leverage situations. Wall has tremendous speed and the ability to provide value as a pinch-runner at opportune moments.

Lee and Wall fill the two spots created when MLB rosters expanded to 28 players with September's arrival. To create a 40-man roster spot for Lee, was transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list.

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INJURY UPDATES

10-day and 15-day IL

RHP  (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Chirinos complained of a sore elbow after he allowed four runs in four innings against the Giants on Aug. 19. He has posted a 9.27 ERA in five starts since joining the Braves -- having completed five innings in just two of those outings. (Last updated: Aug. 21)

RHP (right forearm inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Hernández was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 2 (retroactive to Aug. 1) with right forearm inflammation, which is a cause for concern given the righty reliever underwent Tommy John surgery in February 2022. He threw 3 2/3 innings with the Braves this season before landing on the IL. (Last updated: Aug. 2)

60-day IL

OF (right heel contusion)
Expected return: Possibly the postseason
Hilliard was transferred to 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot for left-handed reliever Dylan Lee on Sept. 1. The outfielder re-injured his right heel while playing a rehab game for Triple-A Gwinnett on Aug. 5. It is unknown how much more time he might miss with this setback. He originally bruised the heel when his right foot jammed into the first-base bag during a July 18 loss to the D-backs. (Last updated: Sept. 1)

RHP (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly late September
Wright allowed three runs over 1 1/3 innings in a Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Aug. 30. This was just the second time the right-hander has pitched since being shut down in early May with right shoulder discomfort. He will make a few more starts before the Braves determine how he might be able to help in September or October. (Last updated: Aug. 31)

RHP (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: September
Anderson has been sent to the Spring Training complex in Florida to accelerate his preparations to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen. Braves manager Brian Snitker said the reliever is further along than he anticipated when he first learned about the veteran's shoulder ailment in July.  A MRI exam showed the strain. (Last updated: Aug. 18)

RHP (left shin contusion)
Expected return: TBD
Chavez is throwing off a mound, but it appears he is still at least a couple of weeks away from returning to the Braves' bullpen since his left shin was badly bruised by a comebacker from Miguel Cabrera on June 14. Like with Lee, it might be easier for the Braves to activate Chavez when rosters expand in September. (Last updated: Aug 14)

LHP (left shoulder nerve inflammation)
Expected return: TBD 
Allard exited in the second inning against the White Sox on July 16 and was placed on the 60-day injured list, retroactive to July 17, with left shoulder nerve inflammation. There’s a chance this could be a season-ending injury for Allard, who opened the season on the 60-day IL with an oblique strain. (Last updated: July 18)

LHP (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Matzek has been playing catch for the past few weeks, but the plan remains for him to miss this season. (Last updated: June 20)

OF (left shoulder strain)
Expected return: TBD
Adrianza played in just five games with the Braves this season before straining his shoulder, then hit .357 in a four-game rehab stint with High-A Rome before being moved to the 60-day IL. (Last updated: May 19)

RHP (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Ynoa is recovering from surgery. (Last updated: April 7)

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