A.J Minter On Career Threatening Injury As Well As Next move

A.J. Minter is one of the most successful relievers in Atlanta Braves history and hopes to continue building on his legacy with the team. However, his season was cut short after he had surgery on his left hip in August, which might also signal the end of his Braves career since he’s set to be a free agent this winter. This surgery was necessary as Minter has been struggling with hip issues for years, and recently, his lower back started to hurt as well. He explained that his back was compensating for his hip problems, which led to decreased performance and pain. “I could still pitch but was in severe pain,” he said. “I knew I needed to fix it because I wasn’t helping the team at 80%. We have capable players in the bullpen who can handle the workload.” Minter’s goal is to be ready for the next season, though he might do so with a different team, ending a remarkable stint with the Braves. Since his debut in 2017, Minter has made 384 appearances for Atlanta, the third-most in franchise history for relievers, trailing only Gene Garber and Mark Wohlers. He has won six division titles and was a crucial part of the “night shift” bullpen that contributed to the 2021 World Series win. Manager Brian Snitker has expressed the challenge of replacing Minter, highlighting his key role in the bullpen and his impact on the team’s success.

Minter values his time with the Braves, noting how the organization took a chance on him despite his Tommy John surgery and helped him develop into the player he is today. He plans to focus on recovery this offseason with hopes of returning to Atlanta, although he is prepared for the possibility of free agency. Reflecting on his career, Minter acknowledges both the highs and lows, including a difficult 2019 and time in the minors in 2021. He appreciates how the Braves have shaped him into a winner and hopes to continue contributing to their success or pass on that winning mentality if he moves to a new team.Minter will be on crutches for about six more weeks and expects to begin a throwing program in January, aiming to be ready for the season’s start. While free agency is on his mind, he’s focused on his long-term career goals and is inspired by veterans like Jesse Chavez, who has had a long and successful career. Chavez sees Minter’s potential to follow a similar path and believes that taking care of his injury now could lead to an even better second half of his career. Minter enters the offseason with a career 3.28 ERA over 348.2 innings and a 422:123 strikeout-to-walk ratio.