The Atlanta Braves started the season with a five man rotation that could be down to one original member once Ben Sheets comes off the disabled list. It would really be two since Tim Hudson was technically part of the rotation even though he missed the first week or two recovering from an injury. What interests me, is how the Braves had a reasonably strong rotation with Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Mike Minor, Brandon Beachy and Hudson (Randall Delgado filling in until Hudson was ready). Due to injury (Beachy) and ineffective pitching (Jurrjens), the Braves had two spots to fill. Now that Sheets is ready to return, it is quite possible that the Braves may replace Minor's rotation with Sheets, possibly shutting Minor down so he can rest for 2013.
Though it has not been confirmed, it could be a possibility since Minor is 24 years old and the Braves have solid options to fill out their rotation. But Minor did throw a combined 160+ innings in his first full professional season in 2010 and 180+ combined innings last year, so this is not another Stephen Strasburg situation. And with Hanson, Hudson, Paul Maholm, Kris Medlen and Sheets in the mix, it makes the most sense to leave Minor out of the rotation. Perhaps Minor can help out in the bullpen, even on the postseason roster. Medlen, who improved to 8-1 with his Saturday victory over the Mets, has emerged as one of the best starting pitchers in the National League over the past month. Even though he has made 38 relief appearances, it is unlikely Medlen will be leaving the Braves rotation any time soon. In fact, it is likely Medlen would be a favorite to start a game two of a best of five series, assuming the Braves win the wild card game and make the divisional round of the NL playoffs.
Sheets was coming back down to earth prior to his shoulder injury. He started off on fire, looking like the Milwaukee Brewers All Star in his prime. He is likely to hold onto the fifth spot in the Atlanta rotation. Maholm has been an excellent acquisition from Chicago, and hurts Minor's case of being the only lefty starter in the rotation. Hanson and Hudson are the likely 1 and 2 in the rotaton, followed by Medlen, Maholm and either Sheets or Minor now. A big difference from the Hanson, Jurrjens, Minor, Beachy and Delgado (Hudson) which started the season.
Though it has not been confirmed, it could be a possibility since Minor is 24 years old and the Braves have solid options to fill out their rotation. But Minor did throw a combined 160+ innings in his first full professional season in 2010 and 180+ combined innings last year, so this is not another Stephen Strasburg situation. And with Hanson, Hudson, Paul Maholm, Kris Medlen and Sheets in the mix, it makes the most sense to leave Minor out of the rotation. Perhaps Minor can help out in the bullpen, even on the postseason roster. Medlen, who improved to 8-1 with his Saturday victory over the Mets, has emerged as one of the best starting pitchers in the National League over the past month. Even though he has made 38 relief appearances, it is unlikely Medlen will be leaving the Braves rotation any time soon. In fact, it is likely Medlen would be a favorite to start a game two of a best of five series, assuming the Braves win the wild card game and make the divisional round of the NL playoffs.
Sheets was coming back down to earth prior to his shoulder injury. He started off on fire, looking like the Milwaukee Brewers All Star in his prime. He is likely to hold onto the fifth spot in the Atlanta rotation. Maholm has been an excellent acquisition from Chicago, and hurts Minor's case of being the only lefty starter in the rotation. Hanson and Hudson are the likely 1 and 2 in the rotaton, followed by Medlen, Maholm and either Sheets or Minor now. A big difference from the Hanson, Jurrjens, Minor, Beachy and Delgado (Hudson) which started the season.
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