Elbow will force Lowe to miss his next start Friday in Florida
Derek Lowe will not make his scheduled start Friday in Florida because he’s still being bothered by a sore elbow.
He’s hoping he will only have to skip one start and then can return to the rotation but for now inflammation in the back of his elbow will force him to skip a start for the first time in his 14-year career.
“It’s your turn to pitch, and I’ve never missed one, but you’ve got to be honest with yourself and you’ve got to be true to your team,” Lowe said. “And what I did last Sunday (vs. the Marlins) was pointless. …if you’re going to pitch like that, it’s not worth it. It’s better for everyone right now to take a break.”
The Braves will turn to Kenshin Kawakami, who was just recalled from Gwinnett and hasn’t started for the Braves since June 26 against the Tigers.
Lowe got a cortisone shot following his outing Sunday against the Marlins, when he allowed five runs in a season-low three innings. He acknowledged a couple of days later he’s been battling elbow soreness for the past six weeks.
He said it felt better on Tuesday but by Wednesday, it was bothering him to the point where he didn’t even throw a scheduled 30-pitch bullpen to test it.
“Just take some time off and go from there,” Lowe said. “I don’t really know the plan of attack, probably do some rehab things and hopefully in two or three days, it’ll feel better.”
Braves general manager Frank Wren said the Braves aren’t concerned about the possibility of surgery because it’s in the back part of the elbow, not the usual trouble spot of the ulnar collateral ligament.
“When you’re dealing with arms, a lot of the indicators of the seriousness of it is based on where the pain is,” Wren said. “In the posterior part of the elbow, it’s not as bad as other areas….We’ve very hopeful Derek will just miss one start and jump back into the rotation after that.”
In the meantime, Kawakami just returned from a five-start stint in Gwinnett to get stretched back out after pitching just once out of the bullpen in six weeks. He threw 99 pitches in his last outing Friday for Gwinnett before leaving the game with minor leg cramps.
He is 1-9 with a 4.48 ERA in 15 starts for the Braves.
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66 comments Add your comment
VP
September 1st, 2010
5:50 pm
Here is your second chance Kenshin; Don’t blow it,
JEB
September 1st, 2010
5:51 pm
KK will not be any worse than Lowe was in his last start.
bruce
September 1st, 2010
5:52 pm
KK will be better than Lowe’s last start… not a high standard.
shawn
September 1st, 2010
5:56 pm
Lowe has not pitched to our expectations but losing lowe is a big blow for Bravo. If he gets healthy, he is still better than KK for your forth starter.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
September 1st, 2010
6:01 pm
KK will pitch better than Lowe has recently.
JEB
September 1st, 2010
6:01 pm
KK knows he is pitching for a job!
Let’s see what type of competitor he is with his job on the line.
Miles
September 1st, 2010
6:11 pm
sure do miss medlen
Jesus
September 1st, 2010
6:14 pm
Worst seven words any Braves fan can hear: The Braves will likely turn to Kenshin Kawakami.
ATLgirl
September 1st, 2010
6:17 pm
its a good thing we have the best bullpen in the MLB, but it does suck that he misses 1st game of career in midst of pennant race… Really miss Medlen too.
Jerek Deter
September 1st, 2010
6:19 pm
And if KK sucks, we could always turn to Redmond in AAA.
Chip Caray's Mousse
September 1st, 2010
6:20 pm
@Jesus — I think those are eight words…
azbravofan
September 1st, 2010
6:24 pm
KK has a lot of pride. He’ll go out there and step it up Friday. And if the offense has any pride they’ll pick him up.
Sam Fossela
September 1st, 2010
6:24 pm
This cannot be a surprise to anyone other than Lowe. If KK pitches well, Lowe’s elbow will get plenty of recuperation time.
Chip Caray's Mousse
September 1st, 2010
6:26 pm
What were KK’s stats in Gwinnett?
Ted
September 1st, 2010
6:31 pm
Thank God! This is the best news all season!
Lowe is a guaranteed loss. At least with KK we have a shot.
Go get em Kenshin!!
Brightside
September 1st, 2010
6:43 pm
Let Kembrel take Venters spot in bull pen and send Venters to the rotation. WOW!
Brightside
September 1st, 2010
6:44 pm
Sorry, I know Kimbrel is spelled with an i.
BoroBall3
September 1st, 2010
6:51 pm
KK will step up… he was a gamer agreeing to go to AAA and he knows that his game is huge!
Braves One
September 1st, 2010
6:53 pm
Why not see another glimpse of the future? Why not bring up Scott Diamond and start him in place of KK?
Coastal Dawg
September 1st, 2010
6:55 pm
About time. Clearly Derek has had a problem. After a cortisone injection he should miss at least a couple of starts and allow it (tendon or muscle since I hear MRI did not show a ligament problem) to decrease the inflammation. Then a rehab start or two and hopefully he will be back strong and able to help us at season’s end and the playoffs. With rest and his experience he is a valuable part IF he is healthy.
Now, hopefully KK has had enough work to biuld up his arm strength and will be back in form.
Go Braves!
Braves One
September 1st, 2010
6:57 pm
Last year Venters was 5-7 with a 5.62 ERA as a starter in AAA…he has found his niche in the bull pen.
Matt the Brave
September 1st, 2010
7:00 pm
I’ll take KK against the Marlins on Friday. He can’t be worse than Lowe was in his last start. I know others have said it, but dang, if it isn’t right.
Frankie Wren
September 1st, 2010
7:05 pm
KK vs Josh Johnson. Ummm, Conrad, Diory, Freddy, Ross, Melky, Glaus, Nate, and Hicks with broken wrist. We beat JJ the last two times but KK will get lit up like a pinball machine. Rest the regulars and move on to Saturday.
Casey in Idaho
September 1st, 2010
7:17 pm
So, wouldn’t it be interesting if Derek Lowe needed Tommy John surgery and missed all of next season … And insurance picked up his $15 million salary and suddenly we had a spot in the rotation available AND 15 million to spend? I’m not wishing it on him, cause he seems like a helluva guy. I’m just saying …
John
September 1st, 2010
7:32 pm
As long as we keep hitting the way we are KK will have no problems. He is a gamer and with a little run support will keep us going. Once into the playoffs we will be relying on Huddy, Jair and Hanson.
Pete
September 1st, 2010
7:54 pm
Coastal dog, since the minor league seasons (except for playoffs) will be over in a few days I don’t know where Lowe would make rehad starts unless at instructional camp.
scottbravesfan
September 1st, 2010
8:21 pm
Kawakami needs to step up and earn his pay check Friday.
Smack
September 1st, 2010
8:39 pm
We need Martinez back up here by then so he can be on standby when KK starts slipping in the 3rd.
Justafan
September 1st, 2010
9:00 pm
Really hope KK does well, maybe they will get him some runs.
ABravesFan
September 1st, 2010
9:02 pm
Good to see KK gets another chance to contribute. Lowe needs to get healthy (or just simply get better). Minor (despite going just 6 innings or less and last starts’ control problem) is probably a better option as the #4 starter than Lowe at this point.
Mark Duncan
September 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
KK should be pumped for his start. The way Lowe has been pitching there shouldn’t be that much of a dropoff. He’s got alot to prove and this should work out ok for the Braves.
ijudgenot
September 1st, 2010
10:58 pm
KK is and will be just as bad as Lowe was. Sometimes you just have to know when to fold. KK and McLouth were gambles that just have not and will not pan out. If you were going to pitch KK, it would have been nice to pitch him against the weak hitting Mets. The Marlins are going to light him up like they did Lowe. He throws in the mid 80’s unlike Saito who can throw in the mid 90’s. When he tries to bulk up and throw a 90 mph fastball it is usually high and down the middle. The rest of his pitches are waist high and straight. Thats a formula for desaster. The Braves will go with 3 starters in the playoffs, Hudson, Hanson and JJ with Lowe if healthy in the pen.
peter nincompoop
September 1st, 2010
10:59 pm
Anyone know what Resops numbers are looking like in Pittsburg? Just curious if he was someone we maybe should have held onto or not.
Suicidaire
September 2nd, 2010
2:42 am
A dead cat could outpitch Lowe. I don’t care who starts in his place.
Rufio
September 2nd, 2010
4:35 am
KK will pitch fine. I hope he has been working on his offensive skills though. He will need to score several runs by himself to give him a chance to win. LOL KK had a few bad outings but the last 4 or 5 games he had limited run support by the Braves offense. There was nothing wrong with his last start at all. It seems like one or two pitchers each year are snake bit by the offense. I remember Smoltz was like that one year. He would pitch 8 innings of scoreless or 1 run ball and would leave the game and the Braves were either tied or behind and of course the bullpen failed. I believe that particular year Smoltz had five games he should have won and ended up no decisioned.(new word)
Bama Fan #2
September 2nd, 2010
7:06 am
I bet 20 bucks the Marlins beats the braves 10-2 Friday night after reading this blog, Not a fan of KK!!
dap01
September 2nd, 2010
8:03 am
Minor is definitely a better option than Lowe, even before the injury.
Donny Corleone
September 2nd, 2010
8:03 am
Lowe and Kawakami and the runs come like a tsunami.
Donny Corleone
September 2nd, 2010
8:03 am
It ain’t exactly Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.
stew
September 2nd, 2010
8:18 am
Both Lowe and KK suck. People have such short memories. We’re replacing someone with a sore elbow for someone with leg cramps. Can’t we throw a healthy pitcher with all the call ups?
Dalmore
September 2nd, 2010
8:19 am
To me, a Lowe start was going to be an automatic loss, so Kawakami can’t do worse than that. Unfortunately, they both have really hittable stuff. I wish we could go to a four-man rotation (Hudson, Hansen, Jurgens, Minor) and hide both Lowe and KK until the season is over.
stew
September 2nd, 2010
8:23 am
By the way, has anyone noticed that Venters gave up the only run last night. His ERA has soared in the past few games.
FogHorn LegHorn
September 2nd, 2010
8:31 am
Lowe…Kawakami! Just pick your poison. Hope they are both gone next year, but I know they won’t be! Lowe hasn’t been the #1 we signed him to be since his first game as a Brave last season opener in Philly. It was stupid to sign him as a #1. He has never been a #1 in his whole career. Right now, I don’t even want him as a #5 starter!
FogHorn LegHorn
September 2nd, 2010
8:38 am
ijudgenot- I like your idea about the three man rotation in the bullpen, but we all know that Lowe will be the #2 starter for us. Cox will let his loyalty get in the way as he always does. No way Bobby puts Lowe in the pen for the playoffs! But you are right, it should be Hudson, JJ, Hanson and Minor to spot start. Really don’t even need Lowe out of the pen.
Fantasy Baseball Blog at beondeck.com | Fantasy Baseball Advice
September 2nd, 2010
8:39 am
[...] Lowe will miss his next start as a result of elbow discomfort. He has never been on the disabled list and probably will avoid a [...]
01HAWK
September 2nd, 2010
9:00 am
DLOWE or KK. Both are terrible. They take up 25% of the teams payroll. What a JOKE.
tony
September 2nd, 2010
9:08 am
not sure why they didn’t give kk the start tonight against the muts rather than friday against the better hitting marlins
JKP
September 2nd, 2010
9:28 am
Kenshin’s numbers when he left the rotation were not too much different than Lowe’s. Lowe had more run support, though. He is being paid way too much to be so mediocre.
hootdaddy-16
September 2nd, 2010
9:46 am
All the idiots that wanted Lowe out, here you go. You got your wish.
JeanE
September 2nd, 2010
10:12 am
Derek is a good guy and I’m sorry he’s having elbow pain but glad he finally ‘fessed up. Not sure about KK but I hope he does well for us. Here’s another chance for him, like everyone has said, don’t blow it, here’s an opportunity to help your team in the middle of a pennant race. Wow, the dugout is crowded now!!
Mike
September 2nd, 2010
10:24 am
Kenshin Kawakami’s final start with Atlanta a long while back was outstanding. Lowe tried too hard for too long and like Glaus, he needed to be shut down for a while to give his body time to recover.
BuckheadBrave
September 2nd, 2010
10:39 am
Kawakami is a very good pitcher. If you watched last season and you don’t think so then you don’t know baseball. He ran into some bad luck in probably his first 4 starts and that snowballed into his head, the last 4 it was mental, and that type of mental lapse has happened to far better players tha him. Its just part of baseball, hopefully he shook the mental block and is back in the form he was he was dropping aces right and left.
Blackberry Cobbler
September 2nd, 2010
11:14 am
Oooohhh, DLowe will miss a start– like who cares!
I recall on this same website just last week an article where Lowe said there was nothing wrong with his arm. I’m pretty sure about this and if so, he’s a liar.
It would please me if Lowe didn’t pitch at all the rest of the season. Never been impressed with him anyway. The Braves would have unloaded him in the offseason instead of Vazquez if they could have.
Heisenberg
September 2nd, 2010
11:21 am
Last year KK was sent to the bullpen to make room for Huddy in the rotation. Then when Huddy’s start was delayed, KK was called upon for an emergency start and pitched well. Can we hope for a repeat performance a year later in the same place against the same team? Just looking for something positive to build on.
STH
September 2nd, 2010
11:29 am
miles,i sure do miss medlin too
STH
September 2nd, 2010
11:39 am
It would take a bama fan to make that kind of statement, maybe you should follow bama’s pro baseball team, or heck any bama base ball team. I can here it now : Where is second base coach, you mean they are in order, so where is home plate? Is it at my Grandma’s trailor? What do you mean I have to put on shoes to play pro ball, then how will i know which base is 3rd base?
STH
September 2nd, 2010
11:45 am
my apologies to tim hudson bout my previous comment, tim you still rock even if you a bamaian, but I did see at home with huddy and you dont even live there anymore……….
Trey
September 2nd, 2010
11:46 am
“Kawakami is a very good pitcher. If you watched last season and you don’t think so then you don’t know baseball. He ran into some bad luck in probably his first 4 starts and that snowballed into his head, the last 4 it was mental, and that type of mental lapse has happened to far better players tha him. Its just part of baseball, hopefully he shook the mental block and is back in the form he was he was dropping aces right and left.”
This comment makes me laugh. He said if you don’t think Kawakami is a very good pitcher and if you don’t think so, then you don’t know baseball. This makes me think this guy or gal is too young to remember the days of Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Neagle. Many people do not think Kawakami is a very good pitcher, because how many very good pitchers is four runs not enough run support? How many very good pitchers have a 1-9 record? True, W-L records do not mean everything, but they do mean something. Also, last year he was a little below average as a pitcher and you can not take one season of alright pitching and assume he is very good. Trust me, I know my baseball, but that comment makes me think that the dude who said that does not.
timthebrave
September 2nd, 2010
11:56 am
He has a 4.75 ERA. Not a good pitcher but an average pitcher. The 1-9 record is just because the bullpen blew a couple of leads and no run support. He should win about 40-60% of the time with an era like that. Granted I prefer Medlen but I have confidence KK will give us a chance to win
Trey
September 2nd, 2010
12:23 pm
timthebrave, actually if he left with the lead and the bullpen blew the lead then it would not count as his loss.
Trey
September 2nd, 2010
12:24 pm
timthebrave, remember the Braves scored four runs for him one game and he completely blew it the next inning.
NorthOf49
September 2nd, 2010
12:36 pm
KK sucks. This won’t end well. There must be another option.
Trey
September 2nd, 2010
12:39 pm
Yeah, but at least we can build our win streak to number six! Then we can start all over after tomorrow.
I Miss Ted Turner (formerly I Love Derrek Lee)
September 2nd, 2010
1:54 pm
I don’t wish injury upon anyone, but YAY!
Bring Me the Head of Deforest Kelley
September 2nd, 2010
4:58 pm
Lowe getting hurt is a better development than all the desperation trades Wren made in August and actually very good news. The best possible outcome would be for Kawakami gets blown out by the Marlins on Friday (to the point where Cox cannot put any faith in him as the #4 starter) AND for Lowe’s injury to get worse and last longer than currently expected. And here is why:
The Braves have little need for a quality fifth starter at this point in the season. Whether Martinez or Kawakami has to make one or two starts through the end of the season won’t be the difference in this team getting to October. Once the Braves reach October, the quickest path to an early playoff exit is for Cox to use a 4 man rotation with one of the spots consisting of Lowe or Kawakami – against a playoff opponent this is an automatic loss. So, if Lowe is injured and Cox has no faith in Kawakami, it takes these options off the table. Cox will either be forced to use a 3 man rotation, or start Minor – both of which are preferential to using Lowe or Kawakami.
Bring Me the Head of Deforest Kelley
September 2nd, 2010
5:08 pm
“[Kawakami] has a 4.75 ERA. Not a good pitcher but an average pitcher.”
Since when is 4.75 considered average for an ML starter? What really is the average ERA for all ML starters? 4.75 seems comfortably BELOW average to me. 3.75 might be average.
If you consider 4.75 to be average, then what do you consider to be below average, and name 20 below avg starters.