Smoltz Progressing Well

Written by Jonathan on December 6, 2008 – 9:29 pm

I’m sure I speak for many Braves fans when I say that I really want to see John Smoltz back in a Braves uniform for a little bit longer before he hangs up the spikes on a great career.  I also speak for those fans in saying that I don’t want to see him play in anything but a Braves uniform should he make the decision to come back for the 2009 season.  For all of us, there is encouraging news in the AJC today.

Smoltz threw from a mound on Friday for the first time since his shoulder surgery in June and experienced no pain or discomfort.  At this point in his rehab, he has been described as being “way ahead of schedule”.  The official answer from the Braves at the current time is that they cannot yet count on Smoltz for the 2009 season, but it appears that his rehab is at least coming along fairly well.  It seems that Bobby Cox is very confident that Smoltz will be back on the mound for the 2009 season, saying, “oh, he’ll be back — no doubt in my mind”.

Though saying that he can’t yet count on Smoltz for 2009, Frank Wren has indicated that he hopes to offer him a contract when he reaches a point in his throwing program that it seems like he will be ready to pitch again.  It’s good to see that 5 arm surgeries throughout his career have not killed the desire in Smoltz to get the Braves back to postseason play.  

It’s not yet clear what role Smoltz would take up on the pitching staff and I presume that a lot of that would depend on how the rest of his rehab program goes.  He has, however, indicated that he would be willing to return in any role that would be helpful to the team, though he would love to return to the rotation.  Whether it be as a starter, in the bullpen, or as the closer, I’d be more than happy to see Smoltz back out at Turner Field.

So what do you think?  Will we see Smoltz back in 2009?  Will he be back in a Braves uniform?  What role do you see him serving on the pitching staff?


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Hampton Not Dead Yet

Written by Colin on June 26, 2008 – 2:49 pm

This is how the conversation between myself and one of our writers, Akshay, went:

Akshay: ok, so Hampton got through his first rehab start (45 pitches) fine

Me: Is there a punch line?

Akshay: lol

All I’m saying is we’re not holding our breath, but Hampton had no body parts separate unnaturally from the rest of his body in his first rehab start.  He pitched 2.2 innings and allowed two hits and struck out two.

He’ll have two more class A starts before going to AA and then maybe being activated.  If he comes off the DL, we may send Morton down to let him keep honing his skills, or even spell Reyes for a bit.  It could also give us the opportunity to let Jurrjens or Campillo get a rest to heal blisters every now and then for the rest of the season.

Will he actually make it back this time?  I dunno, last time I wrote one of these things on Hampton he got injured later in the day.  So watch out Mike, I’m gonna hit the publish button anyways.  We’re rooting for you.

Colin


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