Don't write Mike Hampton's name in ink for the Braves' 2008 rotation just yet. The oft-injured left-hander is hurt again.
Hampton
Hampton, 35, strained his right hamstring while pitching in the Mexican Winter League last Thursday. The injury cut short what was supposed to be a two-inning start in the first of several planned rehab appearances.
When Hampton returned to the United States, doctors discovered that there was bleeding outside the muscle -- indications that the injury was more than just a mild strain.
"Now we just have less of an indication of where Mike is in his comeback," Braves general manager Frank Wren told MLB.com. "The good news is that he was ecstatic about how his arm felt and how he commanded his pitches."
Hampton, whose seven-year, $121 million contract expires after the 2008 season, hurt himself coming off the mound to make a play. He lasted one inning in the appearance.
"We don't know when he'll come back [in winter ball], if at all," Wren told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "There's only four weeks left in the season, and hamstring injuries usually take a while."
The former 20-game winner hasn't pitched since 2005, when he made 12 starts before having Tommy John surgery in September. He missed the entire 2006 season after the surgery and then missed the 2007 season, too, after a tendon in his elbow didn't recover normally from the surgery.
The Braves signed Tom Glavine this offseason. John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Glavine are givens in their rotation. Hampton, if healthy, will fill another spot and the Braves have said they don't intend to pursue another starter this winter.
The remaining candidates for the rotation are Jair Jurrjens, Jeff Bennett, Jo-Jo Reyes and Chuck James.
Source: ESPN.com
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