A.J. Minter may have played his last game in a Braves uniform.
The Atlanta Braves have certainly felt the impact of injuries this season, and it seems their misfortune continues with the latest setback.
A.J. Minter has been added to the growing list of injured key players. The reliever has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to hip inflammation, but a recent consultation with a specialist has revealed that the issue is more severe than initially thought and cannot be resolved within that timeframe.
Manager Brian Snitker announced on Wednesday that Minter will require surgery. The extent of the injury will only be fully understood once the surgery is performed, as reported by Justin Tuscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. While Minter has not yet been officially ruled out for the remainder of the season, it remains a strong possibility.
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A.J. Minter’s absence isn’t a death blow for the Braves, but it’s not making the climb any easier
Minter has dealt with this hip problem for most of the season. He was out all of June dealing with it. Despite the nagging injury, he’s maintained a respectable 2.62 ERA and 1.019 WHIP this season out of the bullpen. Only Raisel Iglesias beats those numbers for Atlanta.
The Braves do have some positive aspects, including a strong bullpen featuring Iglesias, Joe Jimenez, Aaron Bummer, and Pierce Johnson. However, A.J. Minter’s absence is a significant blow, putting added pressure on what has been one of Atlanta’s more dependable units. With a struggling offense and injury issues affecting the rotation, any slip-ups from the bullpen could jeopardize the Braves’ playoff chances.
The team’s prospects have already taken a hit from season-ending injuries to key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. While Michael Harris has recently returned to the lineup, Ozzie Albies remains sidelined. Reynaldo Lopez might make a comeback soon, but his recovery has been fraught with setbacks, leaving the Braves hoping for the best.
Currently, the Braves are six games behind the Phillies in the NL East and are holding onto the third wild card spot with a narrow two-game lead over the Mets. Although the season is not lost, especially given the unpredictable nature of wild card contenders like the Mets, Giants, and Cardinals, each new injury feels like an additional weight in a hiker’s backpack, making the climb to the playoffs increasingly challenging. The question is how much more the Braves can endure before it becomes too much to overcome.
