Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Mike Hampton's never-ending journey of pain continued Friday.

The injury-plagued Braves left-hander strained his right groin and left in the second inning of a 9-6 Grapefruit League loss Friday against Detroit.

Hampton and Braves officials said they didn't think the injury was serious.

"Hopefully he can make his next start," manager Bobby Cox said. "We're keeping our fingers crossed. ... He had great stuff again. If we can stay away from the nagging crap."

It was another reminder of the precarious status of Hampton, 35, who's had seven trips to the disabled list since 2005, and missed the past two seasons after two elbow surgeries 16 months apart.

Right calf, left forearm, herniated disk, left elbow, right hamstring, left oblique ... he's hurt 'em all in his time with the Braves. Add right groin to the inventory.

"I just have to get my legs in shape," said Hampton, who planned to make six winter league starts in Mexico, but aborted after pulling his right hamstring in the very first inning he pitched. That was in November, and he retired to his Arizona home for the rest of the winter.

"I don't see it as anything major," he said of the latest problem, which he didn't believe to be related to the hamstring injury. "It's fine. I think I'll be OK. We'll see tomorrow."

He is making $15 million this season in the final year of an eight-year, $121 million contract he signed with Colorado, a record-setting deal at that time.

Hampton is 32-20 with a 3.96 ERA in 72 starts since being traded to Atlanta on Nov. 18, 2002, but he's not pitched in a regular-season game in 2 1/2 years.

Does he still believe he'll be ready to be part of the starting rotation when the season begins?

"Without a doubt," Hampton said. "I don't think this changes anything. Just got to get my legs in pitching shape. My arm feels great."

He gave up two hits, one run (unearned) and one walk with one strikeout. He threw 19 strikes in 38 pitches.

Hampton said he felt the groin tighten on a pitch to Ryan Raburn, the second batter of the second inning. He made a few more pitches, and teammates noticed him stretching in between.

Manager Bobby Cox noticed a slight limp and came to the mound. Cox asked if it was his hamstring.

"I said, 'No, my groin's a little tight. I think I can finish [the inning],'" Hampton said. "But he said, 'No, you've thrown enough pitches.' It's probably smart, that we caught it early and made a move."

It was the second spring-training start for Hampton, who allowed one hit in two scoreless innings Sunday against Houston, throwing 15 strikes in 22 pitches.

Jones and left fielder Matt Diaz said the sight of Hampton walking off the field was unsettling.

"You never want to see him leave like that," Diaz said. "I'm sure it killed him to do it at that point."

Jones said he wished Hampton could rein in his aggressiveness and intensity a bit in spring games, to ease the stress on his legs and help assure he makes it to the games that count.

"I just hope it's not serious," Jones said.