Braves Closer Iglesias Sidelined by Bizarre Sleeping Injury

Reliever Robert Suarez steps in to close out win over Phillies.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into overlapping, angular shapes in muted earth tones, conveying the unpredictable nature of sports injuries.An unusual sleeping injury sidelines the Braves' closer, but the team's bullpen depth proves resilient.Atlanta Today

Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias was unavailable for Saturday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a bizarre sleeping injury. Iglesias reportedly slept on his shoulder the wrong way, causing discomfort that kept him from pitching. With Iglesias sidelined, the Braves turned to reliever Robert Suarez to close out the game.

Why it matters

The Braves are off to a strong start in the NL East, and having a reliable closer is crucial to their success. Iglesias was a key offseason signing, so any injury concerns, even minor ones, will be closely watched by the team and its fans.

The details

Iglesias has handled closing duties to start the season, but on Saturday night, Suarez was called upon for the save opportunity. After the game, it was revealed that Iglesias slept on his shoulder the wrong way, causing some discomfort that kept him from pitching. The Braves are fortunate to have Suarez, who led MLB in saves last season, available to step in while Iglesias recovers.

  • On Saturday night, Suarez was called upon for the save opportunity instead of Iglesias.
  • After the game, it was revealed that Iglesias slept on his shoulder the wrong way, causing discomfort.

The players

Raisel Iglesias

The Atlanta Braves' closer who was unavailable for Saturday's game due to a bizarre sleeping injury.

Robert Suarez

The Braves' reliever who stepped in to close out Saturday's game against the Phillies.

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What they’re saying

“Iglesias slept on his shoulder wrong last night. That's why he was unavailable tonight. He may be available if needed tomorrow night.”

— Mark Bowman, Braves beat writer

What’s next

The Braves will continue to monitor Iglesias' recovery and determine if he is available for the next game against the Phillies.

The takeaway

This unusual injury highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of depth in a team's bullpen. The Braves were able to turn to Suarez, a reliable closer in his own right, to secure the win, demonstrating the team's resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.