Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said right-hander Shae Simmons is set to begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment Thursday.
Snitker said Simmons experienced “normal soreness” after throwing about 28 pitches during a simulated game Monday. He’s scheduled to pitch Thursday in a competitive game for the team’s Gulf Coast League affiliate.
Simmons, 25, is coming back from Tommy John elbow surgery in February 2015. He was in the final stages of that rehab program last month when tendinitis in a muscle near his pitching shoulder forced him to stop throwing.
Snitker said Simmons’ velocity was mid-90s mph Monday.
“I hope for his sake that everything works out,” Snitker said. “That kid has been through a lot, hasn’t pitched in a while and did everything that the doctors and the training staff asked him to do. He just had the setback but he keeps working and keeps coming back.”
If Simmons can return to health he could be a key reliever for the Braves going forward. As a rookie in 2014 he had 21 scoreless outings among 26 total appearances and posted a 2.91 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 11 walks over 21 2/3 innings.
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