The Braves got good news Thursday on top pitching prospect J.R. Graham, who was diagnosed with a shoulder strain and prescribed a month-long plan for rehabilitation.
Graham was examined in Atlanta by the team’s lead orthopedist Xavier Duralde. An MRI revealed what’s considered normal wear and tear for a pitcher.
“The prognosis was excellent that he’ll be back pitching in about a month,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said.
Graham left his start Monday with Double-A Mississippi after two innings because of shoulder soreness. He is 1-3 with a 4.04 ERA in eight starts this season, after going 12-2 with a 2.80 ERA over 26 starts in high-A and Double-A last year.
Graham is rated the Braves No. 2 prospect by Baseball America behind Julio Teheran, who has been pitching in the major leagues since the start of the season.
