Beachy to Start for Gwinnett on Friday

Atlanta Braves pitcher Brandon Beachy to continue rehab from "Tommy John" surgery with Gwinnett

By Dave Lezotte

May 23, 2013

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR FRIDAY'S 7:05 PM GAME WITH BRANDON BEACHY ON THE MOUND!

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Atlanta Braves' right-hander Brandon Beachy is slated to make a minor league injury rehab start for the Gwinnett Braves on Friday, May 24 at Coolray Field, a 7:05 PM game against the Toledo Mud Hens. Beachy is on Atlanta's disabled list as he recovers from 2012 "Tommy John" surgery.

The 26-year-old pitcher was added to the Gwinnett roster by Atlanta on May 19 and was supposed to start that night against the Louisville Bats, but the game was postponed by rain. He has yet to pitch in a live game on his rehab stint.

Beachy suffered a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on June 16, 2012. He exited Atlanta's game against Baltimore after 3.2 innings and was placed on the disabled list following the game. He underwent successful "Tommy John" surgery on June 21, 2012, performed by Dr. James Andrews.

Prior to his June 16 start, Beachy was tied for the Major League lead with a 1.98 ERA (17 ER in 77.1 IP) and led the Majors with a .171 opponent batting average. In 13 games with the Braves last year, he went 5-5 with a 2.00 ERA (18 ER in 81.0 IP). In 41 career Major League starts, he's 12-10 with a 3.07 ERA (81 ER in 237.2 IP).

Beachy joins Gwinnett for the first time since 2011, when he pitched once on a minor league rehab assignment (1-0, 1.80 ERA). Including eight games, seven starts with the G-Braves in 2010, he's a career 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA (12 ER in 50.2 IP) in nine games, eight starts with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate.

Beachy is set to be the sixth player on Atlanta's 40-man roster to play for Gwinnett as part of a minor league injury rehab assignment this year. Shortstop Paul Janish (left shoulder surgery, rehab stints from April 15-24 and May 3-10), first baseman Freddie Freeman (strained right oblique, three-game stint from April 19-21), catcher Brian McCann (right shoulder surgery, three-game stint from May 2-5) and outfielder Jason Heyward (appendectomy, six-game stint from May 9-16) have all completed rehab assignments with Gwinnett. Right-hander Luis Ayala (anxiety disorder) also spent two games on his recent rehab stint with the G-Braves from May 8-14.

Tickets for Friday night's game between the Gwinnett Braves and Toledo Mud Hens are on sale now by calling the Coolray Field Box Office at (678) 277-0340 or by visiting gwinnettbraves.com. Friday is "Dudes vs. Foods Night," with our annual Knucksie Eating Contest taking over the main concourse. Additional food challenges for the stadium concessions connoisseur will also take place during the game.