Braves’ Beachy, Medlen to see Dr. Andrews Monday

No, that’s not Dr. Andrews Monday. That would be Dr. James Andrews the orthopedist who is one of the premier surgeons when it comes to Tommy John surgery.

For the Atlanta Braves, he’s about to be their biggest bearer of either bad news or great news. It might even be both. Starting pitchers Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen are scheduled to be evaluated by Dr. Andrews on Monday, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.

One day after Kris Medlen removed himself from a Spring Training game against the Mets, clutching at his elbow, Brandon Beachy made an early departure from his game on Monday, suffering from biceps tightness. Both Braves are hoping to be ready for Opening Day, although right now, it looks like that’s more of a pipe dream for both.

Medlen, according to team sources, has been preparing himself this entire week for the possibility that he will need his second Tommy John surgery in three years. He was projected to be the Braves’ Opening Day starter, and, regardless of whether he needs the surgery or not, it looks like he most certainly will not. Earlier on Friday, Brandon Beachy said that he might be preparing for another Tommy John surgery as well.

Currently, three of the Braves’ projected starters are down with injury. Along with Beachy and Medlen, Mike Minor has some shoulder soreness. The Braves recently signed Ervin Santana to a one-year deal, and manager Fredi Gonzalez has been quoted as saying, “Thank God we signed Freddy Garcia.”