Braves Activate Relief Weapon Anthony Swarzak From IL

The All-Star Break could not have come at a better time for the Atlanta Braves and stud relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak.

Roughly a week before the brief intermission the right-hander was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, putting him on track to return for Atlanta's first game of the second half on July 12.

Well, the timetable ended up working out perfectly as the club announced they have reinstated Swarzak from the IL and have activated him for Friday's clash against the Padres.

To make room for Swarzak, the Braves placed left-hander Grant Dayton on the IL with a fractured toe in a corresponding move.

And that sound you hear is the Braves organization and World Series-aspirational fan base breathing a compiled and profound sigh of relief.

To say that Swarzak has been lights out for Atlanta since coming over in a trade with the Mariners wouldn't even begin to describe his dominance. The 33-year-old vet has allowed just eight hits and one earned run over 17.1 innings pitched.

Those numbers equate to an otherworldly 0.52 ERA.

If Swarzak can remain healthy, and presumably a stalwart in the Braves pen, then you have to consider Atlanta a legitimate (and the potentially only) threat to the Dodgers in the NL.

He's just been that transformative for manager Brian Snitker.