Tommy Hanson Set for Instructional League Start

Tommy Hanson is preparing to take another large step in his rehab process.  The Atlanta Braves right-hander is scheduled to pitch in an Instructional League game Monday.

After logging another successful bullpen session Saturday, the Braves deemed Hanson ready to face live hitters in Florida .  Hanson is scheduled to throw 35 pitches Monday over two or three innings of work.

Hanson’s shoulder has held up enough to allow him to reach this point, which is better than some expected earlier in the year.  Now, Hanson has his sights set on returning to the Braves before the end of the regular season.

But before he can, Hanson’s arm has to show it can handle a rehab outing.  Even then, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez admitted that Hanson will probably require a few additional Instructional League starts to build up his innings.

Atlanta appears the favorite to claim the National League Wild Card, as they’re currently 4 games up on the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants.  But the Braves clearly haven’t been the same team since losing Hanson and rotation-mate Jair Jurrjens.

The young starters helped guide the Braves to a first half record of 54-38.  But, with Hanson and Jurrjens dealing with injuries and inconsistency, Atlanta has only registered a mark of 33-28 following the All-Star break.

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