Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said right-hander Shae Simmons is “doing well” in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but indicated that there’s been no discussion of having Simmons begin throwing in games.
Simmons had the procedure in February 2015. The Braves are trying a new, longer rehab program with Simmons after they had some prominent pitchers struggle returning from Tommy John surgery after they began their rehab stints about 12 months after surgery.
“Shae is doing well,” Gonzalez said. “We haven’t even talked about Simmons (coming back). He’s going on 14 months, which is probably the right thing to do.”
The Braves have projected that Simmons could be ready to return to the big leagues in June.
As a rookie in 2014 Simmons posted a 2.93 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings before going on the disabled list that July with a sore shoulder. He didn’t pitch again that season and then blew out his elbow after increasing the intensity of his throwing program before 2015 spring training.
