Atlanta Braves’ Ben Sheets terms dead arm issue as routine matter - MLB Update
The Atlanta Braves’ starter Ben Sheets believes that the dead arm he suffered in the last game is not severe. It is just a routine matter which occurs to every pitcher who returns to the mound after such a long time.
Therefore, the soreness is not going to inhibit his quest in the season. Instead the six-man rotation that the manager Fredi Gonzalez has planned once Tommy Hanson escapes the disabled list will allow him keep starting games as well as resting his arm.
The Braves were short of options earlier after they saw Brandon Beachy injured and the starters like Jair Jurrjens struggling to win games for the team.
As their rotation has been below par in the past, it was feared that the same problem is going to let them down in the on-going season. The fact they are in the race for the play-offs spot and hold second position on the National League East Division had
alerted the management that if they do not work out issues with the rotation, they will witness sharp decline in the winning percentage soon.
Therefore, steps were taken in this regard. Signing the Minor league contract with Sheets in an attempt to pave his way for the Major League appearance was one of the decisions taken by the officials.
Currently the Braves have streamlined their rotation to such an extent that they entertain the plans of hosting six-man rotation for the rest of the season. In order to rest pitchers for greater number of days, Gonzalez is ready to use this strategy as soon
as Hanson returns.
Meanwhile, Sheets is not considering soreness as a big issue. He is going to experience the sore emerging from various parts of his body until the arm gets used to throwing, Sheets stated.
“Soreness is going to come,” Sheets said. “One day it’s my back, my hip, my shoulder, my elbow, my wrist, my butt, my toe, my head. It’s just pretty normal. It’s like going to the gym when you’re building up. You’re going to be sore. If you’re going to get
stronger, you’re going to get sore.”
As Sheets appears in the upcoming games, the team officials will hope that the dead arm he had in his last start does not hurt him again.
Tags: