Kris Medlen, Jair Jurrjens provide ray of hope to lifeless Atlanta Braves – MLB News
Just when the critics thought that the season is over for the Atlanta Braves citing bull-pen concerns, a ray of hope has surfaced for the National League Wild Card leaders.
Atlanta’s lead has been trimmed to just two games after a sudden dip in form since the inception of September. Weariness in the bull-pen has been cited as a major reason for this downfall and has since rekindled competition for the post-season spot.
Tommy Hudson’s absence followed by Jair Jurrjens knee injury significantly jolted Atlanta’s starting rotation. Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel have been the most prominent duo of closers this season but Eric O’ Flaherty’s injury forced them to overdo their
job and hence have, of late, showed signs of exhaustion.
However, the Braves have found an answer to these questions just when the picture was becoming gloomy. Kris Medlen, returning from Tommy John surgery, featured in an Instructional League game to try and return for the Divisional Series. He threw 19 warm-up
pitches before tossing an inning in the game to mark his potential return to the bull-pen. An additional game in the Instructional League can see him return as early as the season-ending series against Philadelphia Phillies next week.
Tommy Hanson, recovering from a shoulder injury, is in-line to make a return for the first round of the post-season if the Braves qualify. A comprehensible picture on Hanson’s return would be available on Friday, September 23 when he will throw 65 pitches
in the Instructional League. A successful spell might see him throwing against the Phillies next week, only if the Braves have clinched the wild card by then. The management will not want to risk Hanson’s shoulder if their journey in the season is cut short.
No one would have wagered on Jurrjens’ return this season but two bull-pen sessions have changed the picture altogether. Jurrjens threw 40-plus pitches on September 19 and then again on September 21 to give the bull-pen a ray of hope. However, he is still
not expected to join the rotation until the Championship Series.
Jurrjens stated that the exercises seem to be working and he had no problems throwing the bull-pen sessions.
If the Braves qualify and these pitchers return, the Championship Series is then a real possibility.
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