Mike Minor escapes with no structural damage

Atlanta Braves left-hander Mike Minor visited Dr. James Andrews on Monday. A visit to Dr. Andrews is usually associated with a negative outlook, but this time, there is a report circulating that Minor has avoided any major damage to his pitching shoulder.

Per MLB league source: No structural damage on Mike Minor. He'll get rest for a few weeks

— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) March 10, 2015

If this report is accurate, Minor will avoid potential disaster with just rest and recuperation standing between him and a positive start to the 2015 season. Because of the fact that this was another instance of a shoulder injury, the 27-year-old was flirting with the catastrophe associated with repeated ailments, but Minor could be ready to go in a handful of weeks.

The actual outlook for Minor's shoulder issue remains to be seen, but signs of optimism are a good thing in this instance, and if it bears out, the Mike Minor era could be alive and well.

Update

Braves beat reporters confirmed the earlier report, saying that Minor had an anti-inflammatory injection yesterday and will rest for two weeks. President of Baseball Ops John Hart says there's no timetable for his return, but we'll probably have an open spot in the rotation as the regular season begins.

Hart said, "The MRIs were as clean as you want to see. The shoulder is strong. He's got a little inflammation in the rotator cuff." Phew!