Braves get Newcomb back in 'pen

ATLANTA -- While making multiple moves on Friday to bolster their bullpen, the Braves activated Sean Newcomb from the injured list and transferred Mike Soroka to the 60-day injured list.

Soroka’s move is retroactive to the start of the regular season. So the right-hander will be eligible for activation in early June, approximately two weeks before he’d be ready to join Atlanta’s rotation.

Newcomb was placed on the IL on April 16, with the Braves never being granted permission to announce the reason for the transaction.

If a player is placed on the IL because of anything related to COVID-19, teams can add an additional spot to their 40-man roster.

So now that Newcomb is ready to return to serve as one of the club’s top relievers, the Braves had to transfer Soroka, who is recovering from the right shoulder inflammation he experienced while attempting to make his return from right Achilles surgery.

The Braves also recalled right-handed reliever Edgar Santana and optioned both infielder Johan Camargo and right-hander Bryse Wilson to the alternate training site.

Santana was acquired from the Pirates earlier this month to serve as bullpen depth. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a 3.26 ERA in 69 appearances for Pittsburgh in 2018. But he underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of that season, spent 2019 recovering, and then missed last season while serving a suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

“The guys at the alternate [training] site were saying he was throwing really well,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “You can never have enough [pitching].”

Wilson pitched three innings while starting Thursday night’s game on short rest. It made sense to option him while he’ll be unavailable for the next four days.

With Max Fried scheduled to return early next week, there will not be a need to fill Wilson’s spot in the rotation.

As the Braves spend this weekend playing in an American League park, they could afford to go with a two-man bench.

Thus, the decision was made to option Camargo, who has gone hitless in 11 at-bats this year.

“With the [designated hitter], hopefully we’re covered,” Snitker said. “You’re not going to be doing any pinch-hitter [substitutions for pitchers], or you might have one pinch-hit [appearance] maybe, if needed.”