Diagnosis for Tommy Hanson: small tear in rotator cuff

[.infamous]

The Braves announced prior to Friday’s game that an MRI showed a small tear in Tommy Hanson’s rotator cuff that won’t require surgery. The hope is that he’ll return to the rotation in mid-September.

It’s a scary diagnosis for Braves fans, though it certainly could be worse; most major league pitchers have some sort of rotator cuff and/or labrum damage after a few years on the job. Hanson’s tear doesn’t qualify as particularly unusual. Still, that doesn’t mean it won’t worsen and require surgery at some point.

The Braves would certainly love to have Hanson back to join Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens and Brandon Beachy in their postseason rotation. If he can’t go, that means Derek Lowe figures to find himself in the fourth spot. There’s also the possibility that Hanson could return as a reliever, but he should have time to get stretched back out if his rehab goes as planned.

 

[Elite]

If Tommy Hanson isn't back for the playoffs the Braves are in big trouble, the difference between him and Derek Lowe is significant.

 

[Mexi]

ugh that sucks
but dont underestimate DLowe

i know it's cliche to say "big game pitcher", but trust me he is
stepped up for Boston in 04
stepped up for the Dodgers in 08
stepped up last year for the Braves

in 08 and last year he was a top 5 pitcher in baseball in September and had great playoff starts

his ERA is bad this year, but dont let that fool you. he's having a solid year

 

[The Guid]

ugh that sucks
but dont underestimate DLowe

i know it's cliche to say "big game pitcher", but trust me he is
stepped up for Boston in 04
stepped up for the Dodgers in 08
stepped up last year for the Braves

in 08 and last year he was a top 5 pitcher in baseball in September and had great playoff starts

his ERA is bad this year, but dont let that fool you. he's having a solid year

In 04, he pitched in every clinching game, well too.

 

[Elite]

ugh that sucks
but dont underestimate DLowe

i know it's cliche to say "big game pitcher", but trust me he is
stepped up for Boston in 04
stepped up for the Dodgers in 08
stepped up last year for the Braves

in 08 and last year he was a top 5 pitcher in baseball in September and had great playoff starts

his ERA is bad this year, but dont let that fool you. he's having a solid year

In 2004 he was like 30 and he didn't really pitch all that well in 2008 or last season in the playoffs. 2008 was the last season that he was actually good. Last season he faced the shitty Giants offense twice and he barely made it past 6 innings one start and 5 innings the other.

 

[Mexi]

uh, so
he gave them a chance

if it wasnt for Conrad the Braves beat the Giants last year and who knows how he does vs Philly

close games = every AB counts
last year Giants and Braves had great bullpens, but struggled to score
they had to lift in in favor of a pinch hitter when push came to shove

not his fault Timmy had a 14K shutout