While Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy visited Dr. James Andrews Monday for a second opinion on their elbow injuries - Medlen was anticipating having to undergo a second Tommy John surgery on Tuesday - the Braves got some encouraging work from two of the pitchers they’re counting on now to lead the top of their rotation.
Both Ervin Santana and Mike Minor came away pleased with sessions of live batting practice. Both are on track to pitch in spring training games soon, with an eye toward joining the Braves rotation in mid-to-late April.
Santana, who signed a one-year $14.1 million free agent contract three days after Medlen injured his elbow, finished his session Monday feeling like he’s ready to pitch in his first spring training game.
The Braves won’t announce their upcoming rotation plans until after Tuesday’s off day, but if Santana continues to feel good, he could be pitching in his first exhibition game before the week is out, possibly as early as Thursday.
“I’m ready,” Santana said. “It feels great. The main thing is my delivery was the same with every pitch, and I kept the ball down.”
Santana threw to batters for 10 minutes, getting mostly swings and misses or foul tips. He got a little frustration from Gerald Laird, the Braves backup catcher who faced Santana when he was catching for the Tigers and Rangers.
“That’s familiar,” said Laird, after swinging and missing a Santana slider. “I remember that….a lot.”
General manager Frank Wren has said the Braves are hoping to get Santana into the rotation around April 12, when they’ll need a fifth starter for the first time. Minor is about a week behind Santana, after his throwing program was delayed by Dec. 31 urinary tract surgery. Minor did not throw like he normally would in January and felt some shoulder soreness when he tried to pick up the pace early in camp.
The Braves won’t rush Minor now, but he’s getting closer to pitching in a game. Minor threw five minutes Monday in his first round of live batting practice this spring. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he would throw one or two more rounds of live batting practice before pitching in a game.
Minor came away saying his shoulder felt fine.
“I didn’t feel anything at all; it was more just trying to locate pitches,” said Minor, who was amped up to face hitters for the first time. “…I was more nervous I think going out there than what it looked like. I felt normal once I got out there but leading up to it, my adrenaline was pumping pretty good.”
