Smoltz surprised by agent’s quotes

Philadelphia — When one of John Smoltz’s agents told a New York newspaper that the Braves’ veteran pitcher might consider a Roger Clemens-like midseason return with another team, it created baseball-industry buzz. It also made some Braves fans worry.

Smoltz and Braves general manager Frank Wren expressed surprise over the quotes from agent Keith Grunewald in the New York Daily News, in a story picked up by other media outlets and web sites.

Smoltz is rehabbing for a hopeful comeback after June shoulder surgery, and said he didn’t know about the story or Grunewald’s statements until an Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter sent the pitcher a text message Saturday night.

“I know nothing about it,” Smoltz replied. “It’s news to me.”

Grunewald, one of Smoltz’s agents at Career Sports and Entertainment, was asked by a Daily News reporter about the pending free-agent pitcher possibly making a dramatic re-entry at midseason to help a contender reach the playoffs.

“That’s not a bad approach to say who is winning and who can he help?” Grunewald was quoted by the paper. “There will be injuries and poor performance around the league, so that will be part of it. … He won’t be ready for the beginning of the season, but we’re thinking May or June and he could make an impact like Roger Clemens a couple of years ago to help make a run at a playoff spot.”

Grunewald added, “John’s made it clear he’d love to finish his career in Atlanta, but that depends on what [Wren] and the guys want to do.”

Smoltz had a $12 million option for 2009 that didn’t vest because his 2008 season was cut short. He went 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA in six games (five starts), with 36 strikeouts in 28 innings.

Smoltz and Wren said nothing had changed about Smoltz’s situation and the likelihood of him finishing his career with his only major league team.

The pitcher and GM previously agreed to talk contract later in the offseason, after Smoltz gets far enough into his rehab program to know if he can reasonably expect to pitch in 2009.

“John and I … agreed that when he got deeper in the winter we would talk,” Wren said.

Wren has said recently that if Smoltz can pitch and wants to pitch, the Braves want him back. Asked Saturday if that were still true, Wren said, “That’s exactly right.”

Smoltz said nothing’s changed in his desire to stay with the Braves. He plans to increase the intensity of his throwing workouts soon as he moves toward a comeback decision later this winter.

Smoltz has told Braves officials and others that workouts have gone well, and his follow-up visits with surgeon Dr. James Andrews have been all positive.

But the pitcher said he’ll stand by his plan to not announce regular updates of his rehab progress. He said he’ll soon make himself hard to reach as he focuses on his comeback.

“I am disappearing and doing my thing,” he said. “There will be no quotes from me on anything because there is nothing to report.”

Molly Fletcher, another of the agents who represents Smoltz, was asked Sunday about the Daily News story.

“Everybody is monitoring John’s progress, which has been tremendous,” Fletcher said. “And we’re certainly sensitive to our relationship with the Atlanta Braves.”

Wren hasn’t indicated what kind of contract the Braves might offer Smoltz, the only pitcher with at least 200 wins and 150 saves. He also surpassed 3,000 career strikeouts in 2008.

“We have a fantastic relationship with the Atlanta Braves,” Fletcher said, “and it’s important to us that that continue. At the same time, John’s going to be in a position to have some choices, and he wants to evaluate those choices when the time is right.

“He’s going to have choices. But we’re incredibly sensitive and respectful to our relationship to Frank and the team.”