A very tough blow to the Braves today as it was announced prized pitching arm Arodys Vizcaino who was to meet with Dr. James Andrews ended up getting the worst possible news.
This isn’t devastating news as the Braves have the pitching depth to replace Vizcaino: The loser of the Randall Delgado-Julio Teheran battle and Kris Medlen will be expected to see a bigger role in the Atlanta bullpen. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. Vizcaino who started at Double-A last year, was on the bubble between a starter and a reliever and with the injury is probably destined to the relief role he had in Triple-A and in the majors last year.
Tommy John surgery, although not ideal, is not the death wish it was even a few years ago. There is no reason to believe that Vizcaino will not return to become at least a serviceable major league pitcher. However, chances of that happening this year are now no longer there.
The Braves pitching depth is great in this regard – it is allowing them to deal with this injury, the Tim Hudson injury and any future injuries that will likely occur throughout the season.