Braves release Aussie pitcher Stockman

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Injury-plagued reliever Phil Stockman was placed on unconditional release waivers by the Braves on Sunday, likely ending the right-hander’s career with the team.

The 6-foot-8 Australian had numerous setbacks for leg and back problems in recent years. Stockman, 29, was recently diagnosed with two herniated disks in his lower back and could face surgery.

He was limited to 25 or fewer appearances in each of the past three seasons because of injuries, beginning with a torn left hamstring in 2006. He pitched in one game this spring before back problems flared, causing pain to radiate down his legs.

The 6-foot-8 Aussie piled up strikeouts with a 98-mph fastball when he was healthy. But each time he was ready to push for a spot with the Braves in recent seasons, Stockman got hurt.

The amiable Aussie came to spring training with hopes of joining his friend and countryman Peter Moylan in the Braves’ bullpen this season. Instead, Stockman’s facing career uncertainty.

An MRI last week confirmed the damaged disks, an injury he said was similarly diagnosed with in 2008.

He had a series of injections last year that physicians hoped could allow him to pitch again without surgery. Stockman, 29, strengthened the core muscles during the winter and reported to camp in what he said was the best shape of his career.

But soon after he began to face hitters in batting practice, the back problem returned.

His litany of injuries began in 2006 when his left hamstring was torn away from the bone. Stockman had surgery months later to remove a tendon when the injury didn’t heal properly.

He was told recently that his subsequent injuries might have been compensation-type problems related to the original torn hamstring, which could have caused alignment issues for the tall pitcher.