First, he asked how long until he could play golf.

Two, maybe three months.

Then, the drum roll. How long before he could throw?

Four months.

Right about then, in John Smoltz's first post-operation briefing with surgeon James Andrews, the notion of his comeback was officially germinated. By Friday, in his first comments since shoulder surgery three days before, Smoltz had the plan.

"I'm confident in the [rehab] protocol and the ability to fast-track this," he said. "I'll be very aggressive with my rehab and that will allow me to know within a good timeframe of where I'm going to be."

The words were chosen carefully, for the 20-year veteran would not speculate on when he might return to the Braves. But Andrews' assessment — a damaged labrum was suitably mended; there was no sign of arthritis — convinced Smoltz that the opportunity to come back was viable.

"John's a competitor and that's what's made him so great throughout his career," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "There was no one that had to do any arm-twisting."

There is no record of any pitcher of Smoltz's age (41) returning to the majors after a significant labrum injury. But his track record for coming back from four elbow surgeries, made possible by excellent flexibility and an apparently non-existent pain threshold, makes him a unique case.

"If it's meant to be, then I'm going to do it. If it's not, then it's no big deal," Smoltz said. "But the ability to go out there and compete, and still do it at a high level, I would welcome that if it's still afforded me.

"There's nothing that I have to attain or nothing I have to prove. But much like those guys who want to retire and retire on their own accord, I admire that and for the guys who want to come back. I'm just looking forward to seeing what the next four to five months hold for me."

A major determinant over the winter is how limber Smoltz's shoulder capsule becomes as rehab progresses.

"My mobility is going to be a big part of my success, if I do come back, because most of these surgeries deal with people who get stuck and lose their flexibility and, therefore, the ability to pitch," he said. "To come back is difficult for most people.

"But I believe that my flexibility and the things I can do will enhance my chances to come back and pitch."

Smoltz's decision was as close to good news as the Braves could muster on the same afternoon they learned starter Tom Glavine would miss at least four weeks due to a slight tear in the flexor tendon in his left elbow.

In the short term — Smoltz has already begun preliminary rehab with some passive motion therapy — he will rejoin the club when it returns from its 10-game road trip. Then golf perhaps by mid-October and, if all goes well, throwing by mid-November.

"When I get to those points of functionality, I want to be able to do some of the things that will [allow me] to feel closer to [pitching]," he said.

"As far as spring training, whether it's spring training or next year, no, there's no preliminaries on that. But throwing a baseball, it kind of intrigued me to know that four months would be possible. That'd be pretty good."