Five days ago, Braves righthander Brandon Beachy was leading the National League in ERA and ERA+ and was likely to be named to the league’s All-Star team, with a chance to be the starting pitcher.

After leaving Saturday’s game with elbow soreness, events moved frighteningly quickly — Beachy headed right to Tommy John surgery. Dave O’Brien:

Braves right-hander Brandon Beachy underwent successful surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow Thursday, the Braves announced. The surgery, known as “Tommy John” was performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in his Gulf Breeze, Fla. clinic.

Teams seem to be doing these sorts of things much more quickly now than before, and recovery times have lessened. Tommy John surgery used to mean 18 months before a pitcher can return; O’Brien’s article says the Braves hope Beachy will be back in 11-13 months, or by next year’s All-Star break.

Beachy’s 2.00 ERA still leads the National League, at least for now, and will until his inning total no longer qualifies. He and the Braves would probably prefer he’d be on the mound.

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