No teams express interest in Braves’ Hampton

Washington, D.C. — Sunday was the last day teams could trade for pitcher Mike Hampton and still put him on their postseason roster. The Braves haven’t had anybody express interest, and chances get slimmer as they head into September.

But the Braves, who have already traded Mark Teixeira and Mark Kotsay, are content with things as they are, and so is Hampton, who has a month more to make the case that he’s back.

Hampton makes the eighth start after nearly three years out of action in the series opener in Florida. He’s 2-2 with a 5.82 ERA and has come on strong with quality starts in his last three outings. He went 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA against the Marlins, Mets and Giants.

In his last start Wednesday against the Marlins, he went eight innings, his longest outing since May 8, 2005.

“I feel like I’ve done some positive things,” Hampton said. “I’ve got a month to keep trying to get better and get more consistent. … My approach is every day is my last.”

Being out nearly three years with elbow surgeries and a series of setbacks gives him a unique perspective

“I’ve always said the test of true character is when you’re at your worst, how you choose to react,” Hampton said. “I’ve worked hard from Day 1 after the first surgery to get back. I just continued to believe I’d get back. I’m glad to be able to do it again.”

Hampton turns 36 on Sept. 9. He’s a free agent after the season, having come to the end of his eight-year $121 million contract. He’s open to the possibility of coming back to Atlanta and with how he’s pitched, it’s actually not out of the realm.

“I’m sure it’s going to be an interesting offseason if I finish healthy and strong, but I try not to look too far forward,” Hampton said. “I’d like to think there’s an opportunity to pitch for the Braves again. There are a lot of question marks for this team next year.”

September bunch

The Braves announced five players will join the Braves following Class AAA Richmond’s last home game Monday: Brent Lillibridge, Corky Miller, Jeff Ridgway, Charlie Morton and James Parr. One more pitcher from AA Mississippi will likely be added after the Southern League playoffs.

Lillibridge, who played 16 games for Atlanta this year hitting .208, had a seven-game hitting streak in Richmond through Saturday, including back-to-back two-hit games against Norfolk. Miller returns to give manager Bobby Cox a third catcher. After hitting.093 (5-for-54) in Atlanta, he got untracked in Richmond. He hit .339 with five homers and 12 RBIs in 16 games.

The intriguing call-up of the bunch is Parr, the lone fresh face.

Parr, 22, was a fourth-round draft pick in 2004 from Albuquerque. He’s combined to go 13-7 with a 3.52 ERA in AA Mississippi and AAA Richmond, with 125 strikeouts and 51 walks in 150 2/3 innings.

Parr won International League pitcher of the week for Aug. 18-24, going 2-0 in two scoreless six-inning outings. He struck out nine, walked three and allowed just four hits in 12 innings.

Ruben Gotay, who’s on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, will likely be activated soon after rosters expand.

Etc.

Both Chipper Jones and Brian McCann got scheduled days off Sunday but it was good timing for Jones who’s got a head cold. He should be back in the lineup for the opener in Florida.

Beginning Sept. 1, fans can go to www.baseballhall.org to nominate the late Skip Caray for the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick award. Fans select three of the 10 broadcasters for consideration by former Frick award winners and five historians appointed by the Hall. Fan voting continues through September.