Braves look ready to welcome back key reliever at perfect time

The Braves are slowly but surely getting healthy after a frustrating wave of injuries with reliever Collin McHugh now on track to return.

If all goes well, the Braves should have relief pitcher Collin McHugh available in the bullpen within the next few days.

McHugh has been out with shoulder inflammation since the beginning of April. On Friday, he threw three innings in a rehab outing with High-A Rome. He held the opposition scoreless with two hits, no walks and two strikeouts.

Brian Snitker told reporters on Saturday that the Braves hope to have McHugh back soon, per Maria Torres of The Athletic.

Braves injury update: Collin McHugh’s return is imminent

Snitker had a couple of updates for other players as well. Travis d’Arnaud caught a side session and even took part in batting practice on Saturday as he gets closer to returning. He’s been out since Apr. 8 with a concussion.

There still isn’t a return date set for the catcher but he’ll continue to ramp up activities if he feels normal.

Meanwhile, Raisel Iglesias is set to throw live batting practice on Monday, which is a positive step as he looks to return from his own shoulder issue. He has been shut down since the end of spring training.

The Braves started their three-game series with the Astros off on the wrong foot on Friday with a 6-4 loss.

The bullpen was an issue as Atlanta enjoyed a 4-1 lead going into the seventh inning. Jesse Chaves gave up three runs before Dylan Lee took over and got out of the inning with no further damage. In the top of the ninth, A.J. Minter gave up a game-winning home run to Yordan Alvarez.