Braves Trade Arodys Vizcaino, Jesse Biddle To Mariners For Anthony Swarzak
The Atlanta Braves have traded right-handed relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino and left-handed relief pitcher Jesse Biddle to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak. Vizcaino is out for the season with a labrum injury and will be a free agent following the season. Biddle had made 15 appearances for the Braves this season with a 5.40 ERA before getting demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he was much more effective with a 3.38 ERA in four appearances. Swarzak is an intriguing piece, as he was successful in the bullpen for multiple seasons, but the past two years have not been as nice to him, as he has a 5.85 ERA in his last 44 appearances. A change of scenery may be in the best interest of Swarzak, and is the only player in this trade worth monitoring to see how the Braves deploy him.
Atlanta Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino underwent right shoulder surgery Wednesday to clean up his labrum and remove scar tissue from the shoulder joint, the team announced via Twitter. The right-handed hurler is expected to miss the rest of the season. Vizcaino had notched six strikeouts and one save through four innings of work thus far. A. J. Minter is expected to assume the closing role for the Braves, and despite his rocky start (9.64 ERA through 4 2/3 innings) he's an immediate waiver add in all formats.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Wednesday to repair his labrum and remove scar tissue. Vizcaino's shoulder issues date back to last season, when he was relieved of his closing duties by A.J. Minter, who now gains a bunch of fantasy value for the remainder of the season. Chad Sobotka and Dan Winkler are waiting in the wings in Atlanta if anything were to happen to Minter moving forward. You can safely drop Vizcaino now in all redraft leagues.
The Atlanta Braves placed closer Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to April 11. Relievers Jacob Webb and Dan Winkler were recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. This means that Minter should be the primary closer for Atlanta for however long Vizcaino is on the shelf. The left-hander has allowed two runs and a homer in his three innings thus far in 2019, but he does have a save to boot. Minter filled in admirably in the second half last year when Vizcaino was hurt, so he should now be owned in all formats.
Arodys Vizcaino, A.J. Minter To Share Closing Role
Atlanta Braves relief pitchers Arodys Vizcaino and A.J. Minter (shoulder) will share the closing role this year, but Minter is unlikely to be available before the second week of the regular season. Vizcaino has a chance to stand out to begin the season, but he'll need to prove his right shoulder is fully healthy after going 40-for-49 in save chances the last three seasons. Minter filled in admirably last year and was one of Atlanta's better relievers, but he's off to a bad start this year with his injury. Vizcaino is a little more attractive as a low-end closing option in deep mixed leagues right now, but that could easily change.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.8 million deal, according to sources. Injuries limited Vizcaino to just 38 1/3 innings last season, but he was solid when on the field, posting a 2.11 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, career-high 16 saves and a 9.4 K/9. The right-hander will be in the mix for saves on a contending Braves squad once again, but he faces competition in A.J. Minter, Brad Brach and Dan Winkler. He'll have value as a low-end fantasy closer if he starts the year in the ninth-inning role, but his leash will be short if he falters.
Arodys Vizcaino Likely To Be Primary Closer From Here On Out
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino is likely to be used as the primary closer the rest of the way this year if he's healthy, given A.J. Minter's recent struggles in the bullpen. The Braves would like to see Vizcaino pitch on back-to-back days before the end of the week, but it's not necessary. Vizcaino missed a large chunk of the season due to injury, but the Braves are comfortable using him as the man in the ninth inning again. He has a 1.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 16 saves and a 9.6 K/9 over 37 appearances.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) will throw a side session on Tuesday and will come off the disabled list on Friday in Atlanta. Manager Brian Snitker said Vizcaino feels strong. With Vizcaino's last appearance in the big leagues coming on July 11, it's hard to imagine the Braves throwing him right back into the closer role, even with A.J. Minter struggling a bit of late. Vizcaino was great before his injury, posting a 1.65 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 and 15 saves, but he's unlikely to get many save chances for fantasy owners down the stretch.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) will pitch for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday. Vizcaino has been out the entire second half, but he had a 1.65 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 and 15 saves before his injury. The Braves will probably want him closing again, but they'll likely ease him back into the ninth inning. A.J. Minter has been holding down the fort in the ninth with Vizcaino injured.
Arodys Vizcaino Set to Resume Throwing on Wednesday
Injured Atlanta Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) is ready to ramp up his rehab on Wednesday. The 27-year-old will resume throwing, which is the first step in his recovery process. There will be a clearer timetable for his return in the coming days, but the Braves seem content to take a slow approach. With A.J. Minter locking down the closer role, and other arms like Dan Winkler and Jesse Biddle pitching well out of the bullpen, there is no need to rush Vizcaino back. Upon his return, which projects to be early September, it seems likely that he will get his ninth-inning spot back, however, it is not guaranteed due to the success of Minter.