Mike Minor To Have Shoulder Surgery, Atlanta Braves Career Over?

The news was confirmed around 7:00pm ET on Tuesday evening that Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Minor will undergo surgery on his left throwing shoulder.

Minor who struggled with his throwing shoulder during the 2014 Spring Training and never recovered.  Last years stats weren’t pretty for a once promising lefty.  He was 6-12 for the season with a 4.77 ERA in 145.1 innings.  He allowed 21 homers and 44 walks both were lows in his career, but he only started 25 games.

During the 2015 Spring Training, the shoulder issue appeared once more.  He was shut down ever since and has yet to pitch this season.  A few days ago, he was moved to the 60-day disabled list.

Now, Minor will have the shoulder surgery and will likely miss the remainder of the 2015 season.

The 27-year-old could also be finished wearing a Braves uniform.  He’s signed through the 2015 season and contact negotiations battles in the past could lead to the Braves and Minor parting ways.

Atlanta drafted Minor out of Vanderbilt University in the 2009 MLB draft with the 7th pick of the 1st round.  He made his debut on August 9, 2010.  In 2012 and especially in 2013, Minor looked like he could become the ace of the Braves staff.  Then the shoulder issues prospered.

Over the first three months of the 2013 season, Minor was pitching fantastic.  He was 8-2  with a 2.44 ERA and looking to make his first All-Star appearance.  Some even thought he could be the starter for the National League team.

In a time period where the Braves are becoming desperate for any kind of pitching, this comes with a horrible blow.  I hate this for Minor and the Braves organization.