Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Minor will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his shoulder.
Minor had soreness in his shoulder during spring training. On April 5 he went on the disabled list with what was described as a shoulder inflammation. The injury didn’t get any better, so he was placed on the 60-day disabled list. On Wednesday Minor had surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder, and he is expected to be back for spring training next year, according to the Associated Press.
The Braves drafted Minor in June 2009. Minor is one of the Braves best pitchers. In 2013 he was 13-9 and had career-bests in wins, ERA (3.21), strikeouts (181), and innings pitched (204 and two thirds). Last year he struggled, going 6-12 with a 4.77 ERA in 25 starts, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Minor hasn’t pitched this season and hasn’t played since September.
The Braves rotation has struggled this season without Minor. Julio Teheran and Alex Wood are off to slow starts, and Eric Stults is struggling. Trevor Cahill was replaced by Mike Foltynewicz. Shelby Miller, who is 4-1 with a 1.60 ERA, is the only Braves pitcher that isn't struggling.
Minor’s future with the Braves is uncertain at this time. He is making $5.6 million this season and will be eligible for arbitration next year. However the Braves might not offer him a contract, which would make him a free agent.