Minter and Will Smith are viewed as the top candidates to pick up saves for Atlanta after closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an irregular heartbeat, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen has previously missed action during the 2011, 2012 and 2018 seasons on account of cardiac issues, so he'll likely need medical clearance from doctors before making his return from the IL following his latest recurrence of an irregular heartbeat. According to Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jansen will still able to throw bullpen sessions while he's on the shelf, leaving Atlanta optimistic that he'll be sidelined for only a brief period of time. However long Jansen is out, Minter could be thrust into the closer mix, even though Smith has more experience in the role and is coming off a 37-save campaign in 2021. However, with Smith's effectiveness having waned as he's moved into more of a setup role in 2022, manager Brian Snitker could be inclined to give a look in the ninth inning to Minter, who has arguably been Atlanta's best reliever this season. The lefty sports an outstanding 1.69 ERA and supports it with strong peripherals (31.7 K-BB%, 1.92 SIERA). He's also held his own against right-handed hitters, who have slashed a collective .238/.279/.338 against him while striking out 30 times in 87 plate appearances (34.4 percent).

Minter worked two-thirds of an inning without being charged with a run to record his 14th hold of the season in Friday's win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

He did allow a sacrifice fly to Cal Mitchell after entering the game in the eighth inning with runners on second and third and only one out, but Pittsburgh's rally got no further. Minter has been Atlanta's most reliable setup man this season in front of closer Kenley Jansen, posting a 1.05 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 35:4 K:BB through 25.2 innings, and his 14 holds leads the majors, putting him one ahead of the Brewers' Devin Williams and the Angels' Ryan Tepera.

Minter struck out one in a perfect eighth inning Monday to record his third hold of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old southpaw continues his strong start to the season in a setup role, posting a 2.79 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB through 9.2 innings. Tyler Matzek is the current holds leader for Atlanta with six, largely due to his usage as a situational lefty, but Minter appears to be the top choice when manager Brian Snitker wants one of his portside flamethrowers to begin an inning and protect a lead. Surprisingly, Will Smith is the one who has been deployed primarily in high-leverage spots when Atlanta doesn't hold a lead -- he has only one hold and one save so far, after piling up 37 saves in 2021.

Minter and Atlanta agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $2.2 million contract to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minter was one of three arbitration-eligible relievers that came to terms with the reigning World Series champions Tuesday, with Sean Newcomb ($900,000) and Tyler Matzek ($1.4 million) also getting contracts for 2022. Once viewed as a potential closer of the future for Atlanta, Minter has settled into more of a middle-relief or setup role for the club across the past three seasons. He accrued a career-high 23 holds in 2021 while finishing with a 3.78 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 57:20 K:BB in 52.1 innings.

Minter (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out three in 2.2 innings to earn the win over the Astros in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Minter entered Tuesday's matchup after Charlie Morton was removed with a fractured fibula, and he had plenty of insurance since Atlanta combined to score five runs across the first three innings. The southpaw has been dominant during the postseason and has recorded a 0.90 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in 10 innings across six appearances.

Minter (3-6) earned the win Sunday against the Padres after recording the final out of the fifth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Minter entered the game to face Trent Grisham and tamed him down with just two pitches -- that would be everything he'd need to claim his third win of the campaign. The left-hander hasn't pitched more than one inning in any of his last seven appearances but has looked impressive of late, and he's riding a streak of six straight scoreless outings. He owns a 3.24 ERA across 10 appearances (8.1 innings) this month.

Minter (2-6) allowed a hit and an unearned run through an inning of work, taking the loss in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Minter entered in the top of the tenth inning to preserve a 2-2 tie. After Dom Nunez moved ghost runner Colton Welker to third, Minter gave up a single to Raimel Tapia that plated what would end up being the winning run. After not allowing a run (unearned or otherwise) in seven August appearances, the left-hander has allowed four runs in five September outings.

Minter (2-4) allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday versus San Francisco.

EDGE Analysis

Minter was the beneficiary of Atlanta's four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, as it put the team ahead for the first time in the contest. Since he was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Aug. 10, the southpaw has logged 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out 11. He's lowered his overall ERA to 4.05 with a 1.33 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB in 40 innings, and he's also picked up 21 holds in 48 outings.

Minter was recalled by Atlanta on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Minter cruised to a 0.83 ERA last season but recorded a much worse 4.86 ERA in 33.1 innings this year before being sent down in mid-July. He's clearly too good for the Triple-A level, however, as he didn't allow a single hit in 7.1 scoreless innings of work before earning his trip back to the big leagues. He should fill a mid-leverage role for now. Shane Greene was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Minter was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Minter was charged with the loss and the blown save against the Rays on Sunday after he allowed two runs on two hits and no walks in a third of an inning. He's now given up three runs in one inning across his two appearances after the All-Star break, and he'll attempt to sort things out in the minors going forward.