ATLANTA -- Approximately 24 hours after being optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room for Sean Newcomb before Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, Jason Hursh returned to SunTrust Park as a replacement for Eric O'Flaherty, who was placed back on the disabled list.
Before Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Mets, the Braves announced O'Flaherty was placed on the 10-day disabled list with left rotator cuff tendinitis. The veteran left-handed reliever has struggled since being sidelined for nearly two weeks near the end of May with back discomfort.
This marks the third time this season Hursh has been added to Atlanta's roster, but he has made just one appearance -- a scoreless inning against the Phillies on Tuesday. The 25-year-old right-hander was Atlanta's first round selection (31st overall) in the 2013 MLB Draft. He began 2017 with Gwinnett, but he's spent most of this past month with Double-A Mississippi.
O'Flaherty created a feel-good story during Spring Training when he unexpectedly earned a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. He stood as one of the game's top relievers during the early portion of this decade, but he has encountered frequent frustration since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2013.
Initially, it looked like O'Flaherty could serve as a reliable piece within the Braves' bullpen. But when he surrendered four earned runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings against the Mets in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, it marked the fifth time within a span of nine appearances he allowed at least one run.

O'Flaherty has produced a 7.85 ERA and allowed opponents to construct a .909 OPS against him in 18 1/3 innings this year. He has limited left-handed hitters to a .189 (7-for-37) batting average, but right-handed batters have hit .371 and compiled a 1.288 OPS against him.