Mike Minor shut down for remainder of 2014 season

The 2014 season is all but over for the Atlanta Braves, and after much speculation assumption that this move could be on its way, the team has announced that left-hander Mike Minor will be shut down for the remainder of the campaign with left shoulder inflammation.

The 26-year-old Minor left his start on Saturday after just one inning as a result of the shoulder issue, and with nothing left to play for, this was the only move to make for the Braves. It has been a lost season in 2014 for Minor, who followed up his “breakout” 2013 campaign (3.21 ERA over 204.2 innings) with a disastrous drop-off this year, posting a 4.77 ERA with regression across the board, including various health issues dating back to Spring Training.

It remains to be seen whether this shoulder issue will be a long-term ailment for Minor, but shoulders are generally considered to be worse than elbows in the medical community at this point, and that is worrisome. There is little doubt that Minor, who is under team control, will be in the starting rotation at the beginning of 2015 if he is healthy, but after a disappointing year and the latest health problem, nothing is assured.