Atlanta Braves closer Jason Grilli is day-to-day with back spasms that kept him out of this weekend's series against Washington. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien that Grilli's condition was improving, but he wasn't sure when he might be able to return to the mound.
"Yeah, Jason is battling some back spasms the last couple of days, so he wasn't available again," Gonzalez said. "He is getting better. He's getting closer. We'll see how quickly we get him on the field."
Atlanta's bullpen has struggled of late even with Grilli. They were certainly worse over the weekend without him. Cody Martin allowed a walk-off home run to Bryce Harper on Saturday. Martin again took the loss on Sunday when he allowed a pair of runs in eighth. That was a spot where Jim Johnson would normally get the ball but he was held back until the ninth due to Grilli's absence.
Grilli is on 0-1 with 10 saves and a 4.50 ERA. He's allowed five runs in 10 innings to go along with 16 strikeouts. The Braves open a three-game set on Monday in Cincinnati.