J.R.

Graham

Graham is seeking another opinion after the first doctor he saw offered no definitive diagnosis. The righty exited a start for Double-A Mississippi Monday after feeling soreness while warming up before the third inning.

It doesn’t sound like a major concern, as Graham doesn’t think it will prevent him from making his next start. Meanwhile, Braves general manager Frank Wren described his exit as “precautionary” and said he “tested well and will be reevaluated tomorrow.” Graham, 23, owns a 4.04 ERA and 28/10 K/BB ratio in 35 2/3 innings in eight starts this season. Baseball America ranked him as the game’s No. 93 prospect coming into the season.

Graham received two opinions and has been cleared of any structural damage. “The prognosis was excellent that he’ll be back pitching in about a month,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said.

The move clears him from the 40-man roster. Graham was acquired from the Twins back in May and posted a 3.27 ERA and 47/16 K/BB ratio over 44 innings in the minors this season.

Graham will give the Twins’ bullpen the fresh arm it so badly needs. He had an underwhelming 4.95 ERA and 53/21 K/BB ratio in 63 2/3 innings for Minnesota last year.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Darin Mastroianni. The Twins kept Graham on the roster all of last season after taking him in the Rule 5 Draft, but he’s now off the 40-man roster after making one appearance in 2016.

Graham was designated for assignment by the Twins last week. The pitching-needy Yankees are hoping a change of scenery will help the former Rule 5 pick regain some of that promise.

Graham was pushed into emergency duty early after Twins starter Ricky Nolasco went down with an injury in the first. He gave the team three innings, striking out four and walking one. While Graham didn’t scoop up a win in the game, he was awarded a hold, his first of the season. Over 20 1/3 innings of relief, he’s pitched to a 3.10 ERA with a 16/7 K/BB ratio.

The Twins needed a starter after Monday’s rainout and Ricky Nolasco’s ankle injury. The hard-throwing Graham gave up a long solo homer to Ryan Braun in the first inning, but held the Brewers off the board otherwise. He allowed six hits and no walks while striking out three, which is pretty much all the Twins could have asked for under the circumstances.

The Twins need a spot starter following their doubleheader earlier this week. Graham has pitched exclusively in relief this season but came up through the minors as a starter. He threw 60 pitches over three innings in his last appearance on Sunday.