The way Atlanta Braves right-hander Brandon Beachy pitched last season, and knowing that pitchers can return from Tommy John surgery at a similar or occasionally better level than before, he was probably one of my top long-term DL stash options for the season. After all, Beachy struck out 169 hitters in 141 2/3 innings in 2011, and while the strikeout rate dropped some in 2012, he’s forgiven because he delivered a 2.00 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 13 outings. Then his elbow exploded, but he’s already making rehab starts as he approaches a mid-June return. Beachy threw 80 pitches for Double-A Mississippi on Monday, is expected to take the hill for Triple-A Gwinnett this weekend, and he could be in Atlanta’s rotation in two weeks. It sounds awesome.

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Brandon Beachy has a 3.07 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 252 strikeouts in 41 career starts.