Braves place closer Arodys Vizcaino on 15-day DL with oblique strain
The Atlanta Braves' bullpen took an early second-half hit as closer Arodys Vizcaino was sent to the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain.
Vizcaino, 25, suffered the injury during Friday's lopsided loss against the Colorado Rockies after throwing just three pitches. It was Vizcaino's first appearance since July 6.
The Braves could turn to rookie flamethrower Mauricio Cabrera or veteran Jim Johnson — or turn to a closer-by-committee strategy — in Vizcaino's absence.
Recent struggles have undercut two quality seasons for the right-hander as he's posted a 2.33 ERA since re-joining the franchise. This season, he's tallied 10 saves with 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings, though his command has been an issue at times.
The timing of the injury is not ideal for the Braves' front office, either, since Vizcaino is considered one of the team's most valuable trade chips — a high-strikeout reliever on a team all but eliminated from the playoff picture — with the deadline just two weeks away on Aug. 1.
In a corresponding move, left-hander Eric O'Flaherty returns to the 25-man roster after his own stint on the disabled list.
