Dr. James Andrews confirmed on Monday what the Braves have likely known all along: right-hander Kris Medlen needs a second Tommy John surgery. He will have the procedure on Tuesday, the team announced.Right-hander Brandon Beachy, meanwhile, will head to Los Angeles to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion on his injured elbow after visiting Andrews on Monday. Like Medlen, Beachy is facing a second Tommy John surgery.
Medlen, 28, left a start holding his elbow eight days ago. He said he was preparing for surgery last week even though he had not yet been looked at by Andrews. The 27-year-old Beachy left his start the following day with what was originally called biceps tightness.The Braves signed righty Ervin Santana to a one-year contract last week after Medlen and Beachy got hurt. With Mike Minor slowly working his way back from a shoulder problem, Santana figures to join Julio Teheran, Freddy Garcia, David Hale and Alex Wood in the rotation.Last season, Medlen went 15-12 with 3.11 ERA in 31 starts (and one relief appearance). He had his first Tommy John procedure in 2010. Beachy returned from his first Tommy John surgery in the second half to go 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts in 2013.Dr. Andrews was very busy on Monday. He also examined Athletics right-hander Jarrod Parker, who needs his second career Tommy John surgery as well.Mike Axisa/CBS Sports/MLB Eye On Baseball
Medlen, 28, left a start holding his elbow eight days ago. He said he was preparing for surgery last week even though he had not yet been looked at by Andrews. The 27-year-old Beachy left his start the following day with what was originally called biceps tightness.The Braves signed righty Ervin Santana to a one-year contract last week after Medlen and Beachy got hurt. With Mike Minor slowly working his way back from a shoulder problem, Santana figures to join Julio Teheran, Freddy Garcia, David Hale and Alex Wood in the rotation.Last season, Medlen went 15-12 with 3.11 ERA in 31 starts (and one relief appearance). He had his first Tommy John procedure in 2010. Beachy returned from his first Tommy John surgery in the second half to go 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts in 2013.Dr. Andrews was very busy on Monday. He also examined Athletics right-hander Jarrod Parker, who needs his second career Tommy John surgery as well.Mike Axisa/CBS Sports/MLB Eye On Baseball
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