Hot Braves bolster bullpen
Since the start of spring training, Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz has called his bullpen “a work in progress.”
No longer.
Sensing a playoff surge, the Braves traded for proven closer Bob Wickman, sending a minor leaguer to the Cleveland Indians on Thursday to address a lingering weakness.
“It is no longer a work in progress for us,” Schuerholz said. “Based on Bob’s track record … he’s going to be a guy to get the job done for us.”
The 37-year-old Wickman has been successful on 15 of 18 save chances this season, and tied for the American League lead last year with 45 saves. To get him, Atlanta traded Class A catcher Max Ramirez.
The Braves have won 14 straight division titles, but their chances looked to be in doubt when they were 33-46. Since then, Atlanta has won 12 of 16 to get back into wild-card contention, five games behind Cincinnati.
Schuerholz was frustrated in off-season attempts to find a closer through free agency. He had interest in Wickman, among others.
The efforts to add a closer continued in spring training and through the season.
“With the addition of Bob Wickman, we feel very strongly we’ve done that considerably,” Schuerholz said.
Atlanta’s seven-game winning streak ended Wednesday night at St. Louis. The Braves, off Thursday, begin a weekend series in Philadelphia today, when Wickman is expected to join the team.
Wickman earned his 15th save Wednesday to help the Indians end a five-game losing streak. He is 1-4 with a 4.18 ERA in 29 games.
Wickman, who was in his seventh season with the Indians, is the club’s career saves leader with 139. He has a lifetime record of 60-55 with a 3.64 ERA and 229 saves in 14 seasons.
Hillenbrand details emerge
After Shea Hillenbrand wrote on the clubhouse bulletin board that the “ship was sinking,” Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons challenged him to a fight.
There was no brawl, but the tense relationship between the two reached the breaking point during a team meeting Wednesday. Gibbons was adamant that he would’ve quit if Hillenbrand wasn’t cut.
“That’s a fact. That’s how the whole thing got started,” Gibbons said before Thursday night’s game against the Yankees. “I told him he won’t see the field as long as I’m here.”
The Blue Jays designated Hillenbrand for assignment during the game, giving them 10 days to trade, release or send him outright to the minors.
Muser suspended a game
San Diego Padres bench coach Tony Muser was suspended for one game and fined by Major League Baseball for his actions during Sunday’s game against the Braves.
Muser, a former Spokane Indians player, and San Diego manager Bruce Bochy, a former Spokane Indians manager, were ejected in the sixth inning of the Padres’ 10-5 loss after Atlanta’s Chipper Jones checked his swing with one out. On appeal, third base umpire Ed Hickox ruled that Jones didn’t swing.
Clearing the bases
Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield has a broken rib and is expected to spend at least three weeks on the disabled list. … The Washington Nationals placed right fielder Jose Guillen on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, with a sore right elbow. … The Chicago White Sox released right-handed pitcher Cliff Politte. The reliever was 2-2 with an 8.70 ERA in 30 games this season after helping the White Sox win the World Series last year.