Injury Update: Brandon Beachy

September 12, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Brandon Beachy (37) pitches in the second inning of the game against the Florida Marlins at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves starting RHP Brandon Beachy threw 29 pitches in an extended spring training outing on Tuesday afternoon.  Beachy is rehabbing from elbow surgery and that has gone without any set backs so far.  Reports from the Braves pitchers first games in nearly 11 months were very encouraging as he was hitting 92-93 on the radar gun with his fastball.

“That is correct,” GM Frank Wren said. “He has been strong all the way through (rehab).”

Brandon who suffered season ending Tommy John surgery last June, is scheduled to pitch again Sunday in another extended spring training game.  From there, he may head to Single-A Rome to make a rehab start because of the way the schedule falls and then make his way to Triple-A Gwinnett to continue his rehab.  If all goes well from there, Beachy should be on his way to returning to the Atlanta Braves in the second half of June.

Skipper Fredi Gonzalez nor any Braves upper management have indicated any moves when Beachy returns.  They also haven’t mentioned a plan for Brandon, should it be in the rotation or in the bullpen.  Rookie Julio Teheran is the current fifth starter for the Braves with a 2-1 record, 4.57 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.  Teheran has pitched well of late, pitching pretty well last night against the Diamondbacks.

With roughly a month until we see Beachy ready to return to Atlanta, it’s hard to say what the Braves will do with him.  Teheran is statistically the worse starter for the Braves but remember the kid is still 22-years-old…and if we wish for this kid to turn into what we want him to, we can NOT send this guy back down to Triple-A!  If all stays the same, I’d say put Beachy in the bullpen for the rest of the season to let his arm best strength again and treat him like they did Kris Medlen.  Don’t rush this 26-year-old back to soon, he’s got a bright future ahead of him still and I think the Braves will be smart with him.  Then at the end of the season see where your at with either Paul Maholm, Teheran or others.