Coming off one of his more dominant starts, Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson had his three-game winning streak put on pause Friday when he went on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder tendinitis.
An MRI of his right shoulder showed no structural damage, but he has inflammation of the posterior rotator cuff.
“It’s been bothering me probably, like, the last three starts,” said Hanson, who went 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA and .123 opponents’ average in his past three starts, including a career-high 14 strikeouts in seven innings Sunday at Houston. “Just in-between starts and getting loose. Once I get in the game and get going, it feels fine.
“It just didn’t get better, and we didn’t want it to get worse. Or for me to change my arm slot or do something different and really [mess] something up.”
The Braves announced during Thursday’s game that Hanson (8-4, 2.48 ERA) was scratched from a Friday start against Texas, but said they would wait to make a DL decision. After an MRI on Friday, the decision was made.
“Everything was good [on the MRI],” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “We had to make a move. He would only miss one [more] start because he’s going to miss this one anyway. He’ll miss the next one, and hopefully all that stuff calms down.”
The Braves called up prospect Randall Delgado from Double-A Mississippi to start Friday against the defending American League champion Rangers. No decision has been made on who’ll take Hanson’s next rotation turn Wednesday against Toronto, but Brandon Beachy is a strong candidate.
Beachy is on the DL recovering from an oblique strain and struck out eight in five innings of his first rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Gwinnett. He was to have one more rehab start, but the Braves could instead have him take Hanson’s spot.
Chipper likely out 2-3 days
Chipper Jones was out of the lineup Friday after straining the adductor muscle near his upper right thigh Thursday. Gonzalez said it could be Sunday or Monday before he returns to the lineup.
Jones, who had three hits, including a homer, and matched a career-high with five RBIs in Thursday’s 10-inning win against the Mets, was injured on a swing in the seventh inning and left an inning later.
He tested the injury in the indoor batting cage Friday and knew right away he wouldn’t be able to play.
“I went in and swung, and it’s real sore,” he said. “It’s sore just sitting here.”
Jones got a shot before leaving the ballpark Thursday and said he hoped the medication would take effect by Saturday.
Beachy says he’s ready
Beachy allowed one run, four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in five innings Thursday in his first rehab start. He threw 56 strikes in 87 pitches.
“I felt good, like I could have kept going,” said Beachy, who has been on the DL since May 14. “No problems. I felt ‘pre-injury.’”
Beachy was 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA in eight starts before his injury, and the rookie right-hander had 48 strikeouts with 12 walks in 44 1/3 innings.
“It felt good being out there and competing last night,” he said. “Looking forward to doing it again in four more days.”
Roster moves
The Braves made several roster moves Friday, adding Delgado and bringing right-hander Jairo Asencio from Gwinnett to provide a fresh arm in the bullpen. Reliever Eric O’Flaherty is nursing a sore back, and Gonzalez wanted to rest Jonny Venters and George Sherrill on Friday.
Infielder Brandon Hicks was optioned to Gwinnett.
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