Smoltz rips Braves over Glavine release

Braves legend John Smoltz ripped his former team’s release of good friend Tom Glavine, telling reporters in Detroit “it’s just not how you treat people.”

“I’m using a very soft word in ‘disappointed’ because that ain’t right,” said Smoltz, a teammate of Glavine’s for 16 years. The duo won 454 games and three Cy Young Awards as Braves.

Glavine, who had been rehabbing from shoulder and elbow surgery, was released Wednesday — “a performance decision,” according to Braves General Manager Frank Wren.

“To go that far in your rehab, and then right before the time, to do that?” Smoltz said following Wednesday’s Red Sox game in Detroit. “Well, it’s not my problem anymore, I just feel bad for a teammate of mine that I had for a long time.”

Smoltz parted ways with the Braves in January after receiving a significantly higher contract offer from Boston. He’s since been critical of Wren, saying the GM effectively forced him out of Atlanta.

The iconic ex-Brave is currently rehabbing in the minors and hopes to be activated in time for Boston’s visit to Turner Field beginning June 26.

Asked if he thought Glavine’s release was financially motivated, Smoltz told reporters, “Yeah, I know too much, let’s just put it that way.”

He’s doubtful his old teammate will pitch for another team.

I think he’s at a point in his career where this was probably going to be the only situation where he would have gone and worked this hard to try and come back,” Smoltz said in the post-game interview. “I don’t know. I just know he didn’t retire.”