Braves activate Robert Suarez in time for playoff run

By Mark Bowman, Braves.com

ATLANTA — The Braves are getting one of baseball’s most effective relievers back just in time for the postseason.

Atlanta activated right-hander Robert Suarez from the injured list Wednesday, giving the two-time All-Star an opportunity to make a couple of appearances during the final week of the regular season before potentially taking on a significant role in the playoffs.

Suarez, who has not pitched in the majors since June 19 because of right elbow inflammation, was activated before Wednesday’s game against Cincinnati. Right-hander Owen Murphy was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett in the corresponding move.

The Braves have five games remaining, and the plan is to get Suarez into at least one or two of them before the National League Wild Card Series begins Tuesday.

“I think it’s important that he gets in a Major League game or two before he has to just be thrown into that postseason environment,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said Tuesday.

Suarez certainly looked postseason-ready before the elbow trouble interrupted what had been a dominant season. He posted a 0.56 ERA in 31 appearances before landing on the injured list, giving Atlanta another late-inning weapon alongside closer Raisel Iglesias.

The first test came Sunday, when Suarez worked a scoreless inning for Triple-A Gwinnett in a minor league rehabilitation appearance. It was his first game action in more than three months.

Now comes the more important test — seeing how his arm responds while facing major league hitters.

Suarez could make his return Wednesday after Chris Sale makes his final start of the regular season. The Braves could then use Suarez again during their season-ending series in Miami, giving him another opportunity to sharpen his command before the playoffs.

If Suarez proves healthy and effective, his return could significantly deepen a bullpen that Atlanta hopes will become one of its strengths in October.

Weiss could potentially combine Suarez with Iglesias, Didier Fuentes and left-hander Dylan Lee in the late innings. AJ Smith-Shawver could also factor into the postseason bullpen, giving the Braves several power arms capable of shortening games.

That becomes particularly valuable in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, where there is little margin for error and managers often turn to their best relievers earlier than they would during the regular season.

For Suarez, however, the immediate objective is much simpler.

After three months away, the Braves want to get him back on a major league mound, make sure the elbow responds and have him ready when the stakes rise Tuesday.

If that happens, Atlanta will enter the postseason with a bullpen considerably deeper than the one it had just a few days ago.