Luis

Vasquez

Vasquez will turn 33 years old in April and has never appeared in a game at the MLB level. He holds an uninspiring 5.49 ERA in 306 2/3 career minor league frames.

Atahualpo Severino and Lay Batista have also yet to report for the Braves because of visa problems. Of the three, Vasquez is the only one that has a real chance to win a bullpen spot, but this obviously doesn’t help him. The 27-year-old put up a 2.52 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 35 2/3 frames between Double- and Triple-A with the Dodgers in 2013.

Vasquez was delayed for a couple of days due to visa issues. The 27-year-old had promising numbers last year in the minors and is competing for a bullpen job.

Vasquez was signed to a minor league deal earlier this month and had to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft. The 27-year-old put up a 2.52 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 35 2/3 frames between Double- and Triple-A with the Dodgers in 2013.

The good news is that Vasquez feels much better and could be cleared to resume throwing as soon as Tuesday. “It’s nothing big,” said Vasquez. “I felt something and stopped…. Right now I don’t feel nothing. But I have to wait to see the doctor before I can start throwing.” The righty has a decent shot to win a middle relief role with the Braves as long as he’s healthy.

Vasquez has been limited by a lat injury that he suffered in the Dominican Winter League. As a reliever, he should be able to catch up by Opening Day. The 27-year-old right-hander is trying to win a spot in the Braves’ bullpen this spring after posting promising numbers last season in the Dodgers’ minor league system.

Vasquez will throw one final live BP round on Friday before moving along to Grapefruit League games. He’s behind the other relievers in camp because of a lat injury that he suffered while pitching in the Dominican Winter League. The 27-year-old right-hander should be fully healthy by Opening Day and still has a good shot at making the 25-man roster.

More housecleaning for the Braves after Thursday’s deadline deal with the Cubs. Vasquez, 28, has been limited to 11 appearances this year in Triple-A and could pass through waivers.

It was reported earlier Thursday that he was designated for assignment, but Vasquez has apparently already be cut loose. The righty held an 11.91 ERA over 11 relief appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Vasquez has been slowed in Braves camp by a lat injury that he suffered in the Dominican Winter League. He should get a look in Atlanta eventually. None of the other cuts made Thursday by the Braves were a surprise.