The Atlanta Braves placed closer Arodys Vizcaino on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a strained right oblique.
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Vizcaino’s Tough Injury Luck Continues
Saturday, July 16
News of the transaction came from the team’s official Twitter account. The club also announced it reinstated relief pitcher Eric O’Flaherty from the DL.
Vizcaino has a 1-4 record with a 3.00 ERA and 10 saves in 39 appearances this season.
Since serving an 80-game suspension for a positive performance-enhancing-drug test last season, Vizcaino has been a bright spot amid a dismal 2016 campaign for Atlanta.
Considering this is a minor injury, there’s little reason for Braves fans to worry about Vizcaino’s future, though. He’s shown uncommon toughness since breaking into the big leagues.
Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2012 and another arthroscopic elbow procedure that kept him out for 2013, Vizcaino is still able to throw a fastball that’s consistently over 95 mph, per Brooks Baseball.
The 25-year-old has responded to adversity throughout his young career and has pitched reasonably well this year under the circumstances of being on a losing club. Although Vizcaino has blown three saves, he has shown immense upside in his limited MLB experience.
The Braves would be best suited to allow Vizcaino extra time to fully recover so he avoids the risk of overcompensating with his arm talent.
Atlanta is likely to turn to Jim Johnson to fill Vizcaino’s spot until the latter recovers. Johnson logged 51 and 50 saves in 2012 and 2013, respectively, as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, making him the most proven commodity in the Braves bullpen.
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