Atlanta Braves in chaos over bull-pen selection as Jair Jurrjens ruled out – MLB News
The odds of Jair Jurrjens returning for the Atlanta Braves in 2011 are relatively low but the starting pitcher has remained positive for a possible return later in the postseason.
When questioned about his chances of returning to the bull-pen, Jurrjens said, “I’m trying to stay positive and take it day by day and work on it. It’s something you need to check on reality too. Are you really going to be able to come and help this team
out? Every athlete is going to say yes. I can say ‘Yes I will come and pitch again,’ but to be a guy who is going to help? I don’t know yet. That’s the thing I’m doubtful.”
The right-handed starting pitcher has managed a 13-6 win-loss record this season but a reinforcement of bone bruise on September 4 slashed his membership in the rotation, for the time being at least. Jurrjens stated that he plans to visit Dr. Richard Steadman
once the regular season is over to devise other options. A PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection is a possible solution but the long-term consequences need to be weighed as well and a PRP is not the permanent solution.
The Braves qualified for the postseason last year as well but Jurrjens was unlucky to miss out due to his right knee and the same problem haunts him this year as well. He expressed his frustration on this, articulating that it is really hard to accept this
fact.
Braves are tipped to go beyond the regular season this year and Jurrjens’ absence will definitely hurt the bull-pen. They can manage the first round without their ace but the Championship Series will be a tough ask, given the fact that they might have to
face Philadelphia Phillies.
Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson and one of Derek Lowe, Brandon Beachy or Mike Minor can guide the Braves through the Divisional Series but a three-man rotation will not suffice for the all-important NLCS. Lowe can be relied upon as a starter but Beachy and Minor
are still new to the game and the Braves might not want to experiment with the inexperienced pair.
Hanson, however, is prone to injury and his fitness will be vital for Atlanta’s bull-pen. He has suffered from a sore shoulder this season but the injury has somewhat healed and the starter can now comfortably pitch on a three-day rotation.
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