Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Mike Minor will reportedly miss the rest of the season after he undergoes shoulder surgery.
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Minor Done for the Season
Tuesday, May 12
Mark Bowman of MLB.com noted Tuesday that Minor elected to undergo the surgery after dealing with “nagging left shoulder discomfort” for more than a year. It is important to note that multiple MRI exams showed no structural damage, but Minor will miss the season even if this is an exploratory surgery.
He has not pitched this season, but he posted a 4.77 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 145.1 innings in 2014. He peaked in 2013 with a 3.21 ERA and 181 strikeouts in 204.2 innings and 32 starts and appeared to be on his way to an important role in the Atlanta rotation.
Alas, Bowman said the 27-year-old will “likely become a free agent” next offseason after a lost year in 2015.
Christina Kahrl of ESPN pointed out that Minor is the latest casualty of a disappointing 2009 draft class:
Attention naturally turns toward Minor’s chances at landing a pitching job next season after the surgery. Arm injuries are always tricky with starting pitchers who are asked to throw heavy innings every season, and Minor will be 28 in 2016.
He will likely at least receive a cursory look from a franchise as a former first-round draft pick who demonstrated how talented he can be in 2013. Minor will come fairly cheap with injury concerns, and a shrewd team that needs pitching depth could sign him at a favorable price.
That is a best-case scenario for Minor at this point.
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