Brandon Beachy has backed off his throwing program, continuing to feel discomfort in his surgically-repaired right elbow. He had just begun to play catch again last weekend in Philadelphia.
“I’m not where I want to be, that’s really all I have to say about it,” Beachy said Thursday. “I’m frustrated and I’m not where I want to be.”
The Braves had shut Beachy down for a little more than two weeks after a second bout with elbow inflammation in his 15th month back from Tommy John surgery. Beachy had made five starts, going 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA, before his elbow started bothering him again during an Aug. 20 start in New York.
An MRI taken on his elbow showed no structural damage to the ligament and the idea was with another period of rest, maybe Beachy could build back up in time to make a start or two, or pitch some in relief, for the stretch run and possibly the playoffs. That’s coming into question now, though Beachy isn’t ruling out a return.
“Nothing else has changed,” Beachy said. “Still the same goals, the same hopes. Just not where I want to be right now.”
Note: Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Thursday, the Braves are optimistic Paul Maholm will be ready to pitch again after they skip his start Friday because of elbow soreness. Maholm underwent a dye-contrast MRI Wednesday in Atlanta which showed no structural damage.
