Atlanta Braves looking for a strong start from reliever AJ Minter

With the start of the 2023 MLB season just around the corner, the Atlanta Braves are facing some uncertainty with their closing pitchers. As it stands, the team is likely to turn to AJ Minter to begin the season, with projected closer Raisel Iglesias out due to injury until early April.

While the Braves organization appears confident in Iglesias' speedy return, some analysts are expressing concern about the potential long-term effects of rushing him back too soon. Braves Today's Lindsay Crosby noted on the Braves Today Podcast, "Picture arms are temperamental, and they don't want to risk Iglesias aggravating his injury by pushing him too hard too soon."

In the meantime, the team will rely on Minter to fill the void left by Iglesias' absence. This shift will also have a ripple effect on the team's bullpen. Crosby noted this on the Braves Today Podcast.

"But what that does is that kind of shuffles into a higher leverage role than they were initially in," Crosby said. "Collin McHugh goes from your middle relief to one of your setup men. And so what does that do to your middle relief options? You call up Michael Tonkin, you know, 33-year-old journeyman, he's up now as your middle reliever versus having somebody like a Nick Anderson or a Kirby Yates in that role."

As we approach the start of the season, it remains to be seen how Minter and the rest of the Braves bullpen will perform in Iglesias' absence. But one thing is for certain: the team is not taking any chances when it comes to their closer's health, and are hoping to have Iglesias back in the lineup sooner rather than later.

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