Braves Rumors: Trade for familiar face, Jesse Chavez injury update, Strider struggles

Braves Rumors: Jesse Chavez hits IL after taking comebacker to shin

In the game against the Tigers that Strider started, the biggest Braves pitching storyline actually involved reliever Jesse Chavez. The 39-year-old veteran threw just four pitches and faced one batter before Miguel Cabrera drilled a comebacker that struck Chavez in the shin. He had to be carried off of the field.

The initial reports after the game were that the X-rays were negative but that Chavez would then undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury and any further action that needed to be taken.

On Thursday, we got an update on that situation, as the Braves placed Chavez on the 15-day IL with what the team is calling a “left shin contusion”. With him moving off of the roster, Atlanta called up recent acquisition Ben Heller to the 26-man roster.

Overall, it’s positive that the Braves only see this as a 15-day IL stint for Chavez with this injury given how vital he’s been for the club out of the bullpen. The veteran has been rock-solid this season, posting a 1.55 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP in 31 appearances for the Braves this season. Losing that type of stabilizing relief presence would be detrimental, but it does seem like he won’t be missing from the bullpen for long.

What’s more, given that it doesn’t seem like Chavez will be shelved for a substantial amount of time, it’s unlikely the Braves will need to move quickly for a meaningful replacement in a trade. Obviously, the club and fans will watch his recovery closely, but the initial moves do indicate that Chavez and the Braves may have averted disaster after Wednesday’s scary scene.