The Braves announced Thursday morning that they’ve placed left-hander A.J. Minter on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his left hip. Right-hander Jimmy Herget has been recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Minter’s spot on the roster. Atlanta also passed veteran infielder Joey Wendle through waivers unclaimed and assigned him outright to Gwinnett, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Wendle is approaching seven years of MLB service, which is well north of the five needed to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency, and he’ll have 48 hours from the time of the outright assignment to make that decision.
Minter, 30, has been one of the Braves’ steadiest relievers over the past seven-plus seasons. With the exception of an anomalous 7.06 ERA in 29 1/3 innings during 2019’s juiced-ball season, he’s kept his ERA to 3.78 or better each season and worked to an overall 3.32 mark through 335 2/3 MLB frames.
Minter has been strong again this season, working to a 2.95 ERA with a 27.7% strikeout rate, 7.2% walk rate and 40.4% ground-ball rate. His 95.2 mph average fastball is a career-low, though it’s only a half-mile less than his average fastball from a 2020 season that saw him post a 0.83 ERA in 21 2/3 frames. The left-hander is slated to become a free agent at season’s end and is earning a $6.215MM salary in 2024.
The team hasn’t yet provided an expected timetable for Minter’s return, but his absence is a notable one, given his track record. Minter’s seven holds trail only Joe Jimenez (10) for the team lead. With the left-hander now sidelined for at least a couple weeks, right-hander Pierce Johnson could see more leverage work. Fellow southpaws Dylan Lee and Tyler Matzek could also get some extra late-inning opportunities.
As for Wendle, his stay with the Braves organization could wind up proving excessively brief. The Mets released him earlier this month, and Wendle quickly latched on with Atlanta on a new big league deal. That deal was signed on May 24, but Wendle was designated just three days later — before Wendle even got into a game with the Braves.
A versatile utilityman known for his quality glovework and typically strong bat-to-ball skills, Wendle has seen his offensive production take a significant downturn over the past three seasons. He hit just .222/.243/.250 in 37 plate appearances as a Met earlier this year and carries an anemic .237/.273/.331 line (66 wRC+) in 726 plate appearances dating back to the 2022 campaign. If Wendle accepts the outright assignment, he’ll remain with the Braves as a depth option, but he can also choose to explore opportunities with other clubs if he prefers.
Tyler Matzek is also on the DL. Aaron Bummer is the one who figures to move up the depth chart to more high leverage situations.
I was thinking Matzek was still out.
If I’m JW, reject the outright assignment and negotiate a minor league deal with the Braves. That’s become standard practice, but the way injuries are slamming the Braves this season, u got to think he’s gonna have a shot with the bravos.
The voices in your head don’t count. If Atlanta wouldn’t trade 2 of them for Cease they aren’t doing 3 for Greene.
Tigers aren’t selling Greene with 4 years of control unless they are blown away by an offer and Greene hasn’t done much at the big level to this point for anyone to empty the farm for him
Good day to be named Herget today as both Kevin and Jimmy were recalled to the bigs
Do the Braves not have some Double A infielder that they can call up instead of having Joey Wendle? The dude can’t hit, and his versatility is dragged down by his atrocious slash line this year with the Mets. I’d personally would rather watch a 20-year-old rookie than Wendle but that’s just my opinion…
With or without a MLB investigation?
Who won his first start as a pitcher yesterday throwing knuckleballs.
Without please. I believe you’re making a Wander Franco joke. Very nice.
Fortunately, no. David Fletcher.
How is Minter still on his rookie deal in his 8th year?
He didn’t exceed rookie limits until 2018.
And won’t get to six years of service time till this season.