DEL.ICIO.USSmoltz ‘way ahead of schedule’
Braves free agent pitcher rehabbing from shoulder surgery
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday, December 06, 2008
The Braves say they can’t yet count on John Smoltz to make it back from shoulder surgery and pitch in 2009, but manager Bobby Cox had his own opinion after watching him throw Friday.
“Oh, he’ll be back — no doubt in mind,” Cox said after he and pitching coach Roger McDowell watched the 41-year-old pitcher throw off a mound for the first time since career-threatening shoulder surgery in June. “It was just a terrific performance for the first time, after undergoing what he did.
Pouya Dianat/pdianat@ajc.com
John Smotlz threw off a mound for the first time since career-threatening shoulder surgery in June. The longtime Brave filed for free agency at the end of the season, but hopes for a comeback with the organization.
“Roger was impressed, and John’s on Cloud 9. No pain at all. None. Zero pain. Man, he’s way ahead of schedule.”
Smoltz, citing a desire to focus his energy on a rehabilitation and workout regimen, has declined most media requests for offseason progress reports. However, he eased the moratorium long enough to confirm that Friday’s session went well, and concurred with Cox’s optimistic view of his comeback.
“Every thing [is progressing], every day,” said Smoltz, who seemed as confident as Cox of his return. “I can’t say I felt that way the day after surgery. But as time has gone by, I certainly have grown in my confidence.”
Smoltz and left-hander Tom Glavine are fortysomething free agents trying to rebound from surgeries (Glavine, elbow and shoulder).
Braves general manager Frank Wren said he can’t count on either to make it back in 2009, but hopes to offer both of them contracts if and when they get to the point in their throwing programs where it seems like they would be ready to pitch.
Glavine was encouraged by long-toss sessions Wednesday and Friday, the 305-game winner’s first times throwing since Aug. 21 procedures to repair a torn flexor tendon and clean out his shoulder.
He’s also ahead of schedule in his throwing program, but not yet far enough for such optimism as Smoltz provided Friday.
Smoltz, the only pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves, would likely be elected to the Hall of Fame if he never pitched another inning.
But despite five arm surgeries, including four elbow procedures, he wants to continue and try to get back to the postseason, where he has major league records for wins (15) and strikeouts (194).
After indicating late in the season that he will try to come back in any role — starter, closer, setup man — best suited for the team and his health, Smoltz has since told friends he hopes to start.
Cox said Saturday that Smoltz could again have a prominent role.
“He could go either way, save a bunch [of games] or start and win a bunch,” Cox said. “If he’s that good the first time out, we’ve really got something to look forward to.”
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