Atlanta Braves Give Updates On Some Key Team Injuries
By Jeff Schafer
Braves Update Media On Injuries Within Organization
We’re officially in full swing of the 2017 baseball season. With that, comes injuries within organizations. Just like every MLB team, the Atlanta Braves have players on their injury report…a few key names.
Some guys are on their way back, others will need more time away.
First up, the one we’re all waiting on…Mr. Kemp.
Matt Kemp
Kemp hasn’t played since April 7, the game in which he was removed from. He’s been suffering from left hamstring tightness, but a return sounds like it’s right around the corner.
The 32-year-old is now eligible to come off the 10-day DL and is currently on a rehab assignment with the Gwinnett Braves.
It’s looking like Kemp will return to Atlanta tomorrow (April 20th) against the Washington Nationals.
Kemp is 1-3 with the Gwinnett Braves on Wednesday with a sac fly.
ETA Back In ATL – April 20
Mauricio Cabrera
Cabrera has been dealing with discomfort in his throwing elbow since Spring Training. He tried to pitch through the pain late in ST, but was eventually placed on the DL on March 30. He hasn’t pitched yet this season (obviously), but a return is looking promising.
The 23-year-old was cleared to resume throwing on April 12 and has thrown a bullpen since. He pitched live batting practice yesterday and is now scheduled to throw an inning in an extended spring game on Friday.
Braves beat writer, Mark Bowman, said on Twitter that Cabrera “could join Gwinnett next week and ATL by the start of May.”
ETA Back In ATL – May 1
Tyler Flowers
Flowers has been slowed by a right hamstring strain since he left the game on April 16. It looks as though he will be able to avoid a DL stint as he’s almost ready to return.
The 31-year-old veteran catcher entered the Braves game last night as a pinch hitter and earlier yesterday caught R.A. Dickey‘s pen session. It seems as though the Braves are just taking it easy with him since it’s early in the season.
He’s listed as day-to-day on the Braves website, but it sounds as though he could possibly start Friday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Braves manager Brian Snitker said he’ll be available to pinch hit in the next two games.
ETA Back In ATL – April 21
A.J. Minter
Braves left-handed pitching prospect has another setback in his path to Atlanta.
During the 2017 Spring Training season, Minter suffered through elbow tightness in his throwing arm. The 23-year-old sat out all of ST games to let the elbow heal, but did continue to do light throwing. With the elbow ready to go, Minter was sent to high-A Florida Fire Frogs.
He appeared in one game and then this new injury occurred.
He’s now being placed on the DL because of an adductor (groin) strain. It sounds as though he’ll likely miss at least a month, but because of his injury history the Braves may take it a little slow with him.
ETA Back In ATL – I’m thinking June
Micah Johnson/Armando Rivero/Chaz Roe
It’s pretty quiet news from these guys. We pretty much haven’t heard much about Rivero since we signed him in the Rule 5 draft.
We pretty much haven’t heard much about Rivero since we signed him in the Rule 5 draft. He’s been sidelined with a right shoulder strain. He didn’t pitch at all during ST and I don’t think he’s thrown this spring yet. Don’t expect him back anytime soon.
Roe went on the DL on April 12, retroactive to April 8, with a right lat strain. He’s eligible to come off the 10-day DL, but it doesn’t sound like he will. In three games with the Atlanta Braves, he has a 9.00 ERA with two walks allowed and one strikeout.
Johnson is recovering from left wrist surgery in March. As of April 14, he’s still in a cast and will be out for a while.
Next: Bad Umps Are Bad for Baseball
Sean Rodriguez
Rodriguez is recovering from his horrific car accident he was involved in during the offseason. His wife and two kids were in an extremely scary car crash that left Rodriguez with many injuries.
The 31-year-old needed shoulder surgery because of a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. He showed up at batting practice a few days ago and Grant McAuley uploaded a few photos.
It looks as though the splint has been removed off of Rodriguez left arm and is now healing from the other injuries.
It’s very possible Rodriguez can return before the 2017 year is over.
Good to see Sean Rodriguez with the club. He's still hoping to make it back from shoulder surgery this season. #Braves pic.twitter.com/aolxilGT12
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 14, 2017
Chipper Jones chatting with Sean Rodriguez. #Braves pic.twitter.com/taHBeLJmzg
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 14, 2017