Raisel Iglesias Placed on IL with Shoulder Inflammation: Braves Update

The Atlanta Braves are dealing with a setback in their bullpen. Closer Raisel Iglesias has landed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

An MRI showed no structural damage, so the team feels cautiously optimistic about his recovery. Iglesias’ velocity has dipped since the start of the season.

Before going on the IL, he had five saves and put together 8 2/3 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts and just one walk. The veteran closer signed a one-year, $16 million deal with Atlanta in the offseason.

He came in hoping to anchor a bullpen that impressed in 2023 but carried some questions into 2024. Now, the Braves have to adjust on the fly.

Injury update: Iglesias to IL; bullpen implications for Braves

Raisel Iglesias heads to the injured list after feeling discomfort, apparently from sleeping on his shoulder. It’s a reminder that even the smallest things can throw a pitcher’s routine off.

The MRI didn’t show structural damage, but the Braves want to be careful. They’re hoping to get Iglesias back to his late-inning role as soon as he’s ready.

With Iglesias out, the Braves have turned to Robert Suárez for closing duties. Suárez has been the trusted setup man, and now the team is counting on him to handle the ninth inning for a while.

So far this season, Suárez has pitched 9 2/3 innings, allowing just one run with 11 strikeouts and only one walk. He’s shown sharp command and a knack for handling pressure.

Last year, Suárez had a late-season breakthrough with San Diego, leading the NL with 36 saves. That’s given the Braves and their fans some real confidence in his ability to step up as closer, at least for now.

Suárez’s contract—a three-year, $45 million deal—adds some intrigue here. Atlanta brought him in after his strong run with the Padres, so his presence takes a bit of the sting out of losing Iglesias.

Atlanta’s management will lean on Suárez’s experience as a closer and his ability to keep the bullpen steady in late innings. The team hopes the rest of the relief corps can carry the load while Iglesias works back to full strength.

Roster moves and bullpen adjustments

To fill the roster spot, the Braves called up reliever Dylan Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett. Dodd’s arrival shows Atlanta wants flexibility and depth, especially with a right-hander who can pitch in different spots.

He’ll have a chance to earn high-leverage opportunities and could slide into various roles as the season unfolds. That might help preserve innings for younger arms if the games get long.

In other roster news, outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. left a recent game after getting hit by a pitch. X-rays came back negative, though, and he’s expected to be in the lineup.

Acuña was set to start and lead off on Tuesday, which gives Atlanta a boost heading into a tough stretch. His presence at the top of the order is huge for the Braves’ offense, and keeping him healthy is a top priority as they navigate these pitching challenges.

What the Iglesias injury means for the Braves going forward

So far this season, Iglesias has given the Braves a reliable late-inning arm. His early-season drop in velocity—down to 92.9 mph from his 2024 average of 94.1 mph—has raised some eyebrows.

The IL stint interrupts a rhythm that was finally starting to look more stable. Now, the Braves have to juggle aggressive bullpen moves with the constant need to protect slim leads in a tough division.

Suárez moving up gives Atlanta a solid closer option. Still, let’s be honest, you just can’t swap in someone for Iglesias’s calm in high-pressure moments.

While everyone waits for more news on Iglesias’s recovery, the bullpen’s depth will get tested. Dodd’s integration and Acuña Jr.’s durability will probably play a big part in how the Braves handle these next few crucial weeks.

With Iglesias working his way back, Suárez taking on more responsibility, and Dodd learning the ropes in tough spots, Atlanta’s bullpen is getting an early stress test. Fans will want to keep an eye on updates about Iglesias, whether Suárez can keep handling the ninth, and how Acuña’s health shapes the team’s whole approach—especially when things get tight late in games.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Braves closer Raisel Iglesias on IL with shoulder inflammation