As if Friday's 5-4 loss to the Phillies could not have been any worse. Braves starter Brandon Beachy was forced from the game while warming up before the third inning due to what has been announced as a left oblique strain, according to Mark Bowman.
Beachy strained the oblique during his last swing in the second inning. He tried to test it by warming up for the third inning, but he lasted just one or two warmup pitches before having to leave. Oblique strains are never good news, but they're even worse for pitchers due to the high torque in their movement. They need that rotation, meaning they need that muscle.
The Braves will evaluate Beachy on Saturday and determine what to do then, but it's likely he will hit the disabled list. The most likely option to replace him is Mike Minor, who has a 1.82 ERA in 39.2 innings, including 13 walks to 43 strikeouts. Minor made a spot start for Jair Jurrjens in April, allowing five runs in 4.1 innings to the Brewers.
Beachy entered Friday's game with a 2.98 ERA in 42.1 innings, but that is sure to increase following the three-run outing against the Phillies in just two innings. It leaves a bitter taste in Beachy's mouth due to a rough history he has with Philadelphia.
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