NORTH PORT, Fla. — Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias will open the season on the injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder, the team said Thursday.
The Braves said an MRI showed the 33-year-old right-hander has "low-grade" inflammation and will not throw for seven days.
Iglesias was expected to move into the closer's role this year after Kenley Jansen signed with the Boston Red Sox in the offseason. Iglesias, 33, had a combined 17 saves last season for the Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta, which acquired him in a trade in early August.
With the Braves, Iglesias allowed only one earned run in 28 appearances for a 0.34 ERA with one save while serving mainly in a setup role for Jansen, who had 41 saves in his lone season with Atlanta.
Left-hander A.J. Minter and right-hander Joe Jiménez, acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the offseason, are among the candidates to handle save situations at the start of the season.
Opening day for MLB’s 2023 season is next Thursday. Atlanta’s first six games are on the road, with three against the Washington Nationals followed by three against the St. Louis Cardinals before a four-game set against the San Diego Padres on April 6-9 at Truist Park.