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The worst fears of the Atlanta Braves, their fans, and Brandon Beachy seem to be coming true. The team revealed today that the MRI conducted on Beachy's right elbow has revealed a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament. He will see the team doctor as well as Dr. James Andrews in search of second opinions in the next few days, then make a determination as to whether rehabilitation can correct the issue, or whether Tommy John surgery is needed. In most cases like this, surgery is the only option.
Either way it looks like the Braves have lost Beachy for this season, and if surgery is the option, then they will lose him for most of next season as well.
The team has already lost one pitcher to Tommy John surgery this year, reliever Arodys Vizcaino, who went down in spring training, and had the surgery performed on April 7th.
The Braves will now need to rely on Jair Jurrjens to take Beachy's spot in the rotation. His first test since his demotion is this Friday, as the Braves open a series against the Red Sox. This team needs some good news, so hopefully a renewed Jurrjens can pitch like he did at the beginning of last season.
My thoughts are with Brandon Beachy as he wrestles with this decision to have surgery. This is an unfortunate circumstance, made all the more hard by Beachy's terrific season so far. His season will likely end just as he is leading all of Major League baseball in ERA.