Braves Hanson Set for Tuesday Return
By Editorial Staff
It seems all but certain now that Tommy Hanson will be returning to the mound Tuesday night for Atlanta. The Braves’ starter threw a bullpen session last evening and felt no discomfort in the right shoulder that sent him to the disabled list.
"“Everything’s good,” said Hanson before Friday. “I don’t think there’s going to be any problems. I think it’s fine. It was just inflammation and it went down. I don’t think it’s going to come back.”"
The right hander last started for the Braves June 12th before being shut down due to inflammation in his throwing arm.
Hanson’s been one of the league’s best this season. Over his 83.1 innings, he’s maintained an ERA of 2.48 to go along with his miniscule 1.03 WHIP. He’s punched out 89 over that span while holding hitters to a ridiculous .189 batting average.
Atlanta will have to decide who they are going to send down to make room for Hanson, and it seems the odd man out will be Mike Minor. The right hander was able to produce his best start of the season this Tuesday as he held the Blue Jays to 5 hits and 1 run over his 7 strong innings of work.
Still, the 23 year old’s ERA has been over 5 for most of the year and Brandon Beachy, Minor’s main competitor for the 5th spot in the Braves’ rotation, has just been better. It looks like the top prospect will have to continue refining his craft in the minors.