Braves Beachy Ready For Return?

Apr 9, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Brandon Beachy (37) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Beachy completed another rehab start last night in preparation of his return to the Atlanta Braves starting rotation.  This was his fifth minor league rehab start of 2013 as his anniversary of his Tommy John surgery is June 21st.  Though not the best outing in 2013, this was the last scheduled start for Brandon before he was suppose to be called back up.  But is Beachy ready for a return?

Brandon gave up three runs, two of which were earned, four walks in only three innings of work for the Gwinnett Braves.  He lasted only three innings because he tallied up 53 pitches in the first two innings and another 16 in the third inning.  He left the game after throwing 69 pitches but only 38 were strikes.  Letting up a home run and four hits, Beachy took the loss for Gwinnett

We’ve heard word of Beachy being called up to the Braves for the New York Mets doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday.  But the official word still hasn’t come through yet and neither has what the Braves plan to do about the rotation when he does return.

Atlanta Braves GM Frank Wren had said “There’s a lot of moving parts, as far as how you make it work, “(Manager) Fredi (Gonzalez) and (pitching coach) Roger (McDowell) and I have talked about how the overriding decision will be based on what’s best for our team.  Nothing else.  When we get to the point where we’re close to that and have to make that decision, we’ll do what’s best for the team.”

But what is best for the team?  Beachy’s command has been inconsistant through his rehab starts…which is common for pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery…

I think it’s a lock he’ll be pitching on Tuesday for the doubleheader but after that could change.  As Alan has recently reported about the loop hole the Braves have found to pull Beachy up for the day as the MLB made the change to the rules for doubleheader games to have 26 players on the roster.  Atlanta is short on pitching and could use Beachy’s help on Tuesday to give them some innings.  But after Tuesday, depending on how he does, he could probably use a few more minor league games to get his pitch count higher and concentrate on throwing strikes.

This storyline is definitely something all Braves fans will keep an eye on in the upcoming days and each have their own opinions about this topic…what’s your take?  Start him?  Send him to the bullpen?  Back down to the minors…Or maybe something no ones ever thought of before….?