Manager Brian Snitker said Minter (shoulder) will likely open the season on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Minter has been slowed by a shoulder issue all month. While he was originally hoping to be ready for the start of the season, Snitker conceded Sunday that there likely won't be enough time for the southpaw to get up to speed before Opening Day, as Minter has yet to resume mound work. A more concrete return date for the 25-year-old reliever should come into focus as he progresses further in his rehab. Once healthy, Minter figures to factor into the closer picture alongside Arodys Vizcaino.

Braves manager Brian Snitker conceded Sunday that it's unlikely A.J. Minter (shoulder) will be ready for Opening Day.

Snitker had expressed optimism previously that Minter would have time, but the reliever remains limited to flat-ground throwing for now as he works his way back from tightness in his pitching shoulder. It's unclear when he might be cleared for mound work. Arodys Vizcaino will be the Braves' closer to begin the season.

Minter (shoulder) could resume throwing Saturday, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The southpaw still has time to get ready for Opening Day if he's able to pick his throwing program back up this weekend, but he can't afford many setbacks. "Because he's a reliever and we're building him up to throw an inning, we have time," GM Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday. "So he's scheduled to throw on the 16th or so. Assuming he feels good, we can progress and move fast after that. The fact these guys were already up and throwing in games, as long as there's not too much downtime, they can get back up and going. Right now we're optimistic. It's a day-to-day thing." The Braves anticipate Minter factoring into the closer picture alongside Arodys Vizcaino this season, but first he needs to get healthy.

Braves' manager Brian Snitker said Friday that he expects A.J. Minter (shoulder) to be ready for Opening Day.

Minter has been sidelined due to tightness in his pitching shoulder. It sounds like the Braves aren't overly concerned and are just taking the cautious route. The missed time this spring though is likely to secure the closer's role for Arodys Vizcaino to begin the season, though Minter could challenge for saves at some point.