Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen left Sunday's spring training game against the Mets with a right forearm strain, according to the team.
Kris Medlen injury: Braves pitcher leaves with right forearm strain
The right-hander is a possible Opening Day starter for Atlanta.
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Medlen was in the middle of his fourth inning of work when the injury appeared. The right-hander rubbed his pitching elbow after inducing a groundout from Travis d'Arnaud, and then walked gingerly off the mound immediately after throwing his second pitch to Matt Clark.
via giant.gfycat.com
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Medlen, who may be in line to start for Atlanta on Opening Day, had Tommy John surgery in August 2010. Although he has generally enjoyed good health apart from that operation, further problems with the elbow could be devastating for the 28-year-old’s career. Medlen opened eyes in 2012 when he posted a 1.57 ERA in 138 innings, a performance which garnered him a few downballot MVP votes. He followed that up in 2013 with a 3.11 ERA in 197 innings over 32 games (31 starts).
If the injury turns out to cost Medlen any of his regular season, then the next in line for Atlanta's rotation is likely right-hander David Hale. The 26-year-old put up an 0.82 ERA in a pair of major league starts last year. The rest of the staff includes Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, Brandon Beachy and Alex Wood.
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