Suzuki on bereavement list; Recker called up
This browser does not support the video element.
LOS ANGELES -- Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki was placed on the bereavement list and the contract of Anthony Recker was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett, the club announced on Friday.
Suzuki left the team to attend his grandfather's funeral in Hawaii, which is where the 33-year-old veteran catcher is from. The Braves released lefty Eric O'Flaherty to make room on the 40-man roster for Recker.
Manager Brian Snitker said Suzuki will be back with the team on Monday when the Braves head to Arizona for a three-game series with the D-backs. Recker, 33, made the team out of Spring Training and is making his second stint with Atlanta. He had one hit in seven plate appearances.
Recker was designated for assignment on May 20 and was outrighted to Gwinnett three days later. He has appeared in 41 games for Gwinnett, batting .223 with four homers and 10 RBIs.
Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips was also out of the lineup on Friday. Phillips left in the sixth inning of the Braves' 6-3 win over the Dodgers on Thursday with tightness in his right hamstring. Snitker said Phillips was feeling sore and didn't want to risk any further injury but that the 36-year-old is available to pinch-hit.
"I think he can still kind of feel it a little bit," Snitker said. "Didn't want to push it and maybe take a day. I'm hoping he'll be fine [Saturday]. ... There's no reason to push something like that."