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Brief setback for Smoltz

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz has experienced another setback in his return from a shoulder injury. Smoltz was all set to accompany the team on their current road trip, but was left behind in Atlanta due to flu-like symptoms. Because of the sickness the team will obviously leave him behind for a couple days to get better. He’ll now most likely make another rehab appearance for Single-A Rome around mid-week. Read more

The Garcia sweepstakes begin

Free Agent pitcher Freddy Garcia is almost ready to start working out for Major League Baseball teams. Garcia had surgery back on August 30th to repair his throwing shoulder. Starting Thursday, he’ll be officially working off a mound, so soon to follow comes team work outs. Lets take a look at what teams could use his services. Read more

Updating the shoulder injuries

Updates are in today for pitcher John Smoltz and catcher Jorge Posada. At the moment, both injuries don’t sound to severe, which is good news for both players, teams, and the fans of them. Lets look at the updates.

Atlanta Braves P John Smoltz: He was placed on the disabled list today, no surprise there. The good news is that he has been diagnosed with a severely inflamed biceps tendon and inflammation in his rotator cuff. Well thats not really good news, but its better then the possible alternatives. Smoltz was diagnosed by the best in the biz, Dr. James Andrews and his prescription? Rest and rehab until he is completely pain free. The bad news? That could mean an indefinite stay on the DL, there’s currently no timetable on his return. It will all depend on how the now 40 year old, Smoltz’s body can respond to the time off and exercises. Tom Glavine was activated from the DL today, and will replace Smoltz in the rotation.

New York Yankees C Jorge Posada: Well he was put on the DL over the weekend, his return is also undetermined. The only update coming out from the Yankees, continued to raise concern in my eyes. ESPN is reporting that the injury is not season-ending, which is good. Posada met with Dr. Andrews as well, BUT he’s going for another opinion. The results of his examination were being sent to the Cincinnati Reds team physician, Dr. Timothy Kremchek. “He had a good meeting with Andrews. The films are being sent to Kremchek and so we’ll wait for that and we’ll go from there,” manager Joe Girardi said.

Girardi, himself is currently optimistic the injury will not be season ending, and is just that a strained shoulder. Posada is staying away from any guessing, an obvious sign he’s in pain and doesn’t know what to believe. “Till all the doctors weigh in, I’m not going to guess and speculate. When they give me concrete information I’ll be sure to share it,” Posada said through club spokesman Jason Zillo. The results from Kremchek’s examination will take a few days.

Posada could still be out anywhere from 2 week to the entire season. For just rest and rehab, it could take around 2 weeks. If there happens to be surgery, he could easily be out 4-6 weeks, or possibly the season. Will Carroll of Baseball Prospect, an injury expert, suspects rest and rehab itself thou could take up to 30 days for this injury. If it’s 4 weeks or more the Yankees and Brian Cashman would need to look for catching assistance. SO, who is out there? Possibilities include, Mike DiFelice, Sal Fasano, Mike Piazza, Doug Mirabelli and Damian Miller. No great options, but could easily be serviceable if Posada is out in the 4-6 week period. The Yankees currently, have no minor leaguers that could fill the void, as all prospects are in A ball.

Smoltz cant shoulder the load

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz is experiencing soreness in his shoulder again. Smoltz left today’s game after the 4th inning, which he gave up 4 runs in, and complained about discomfort in his throwing shoulder. He’s already missed his first start of the season because of this. He said this discomfort prevented him from throwing his pitches the way he would normally like. Will this cause his 2nd stint on the disabled list this year?

Right now, Smoltz and the Braves aren’t sure where this soreness will lead. “The next couple of days I should know what paths we’re looking at,” he said. Could Smoltz’s body be catching up to his age? John is just a few weeks away from his 41st birthday, and it could be just old age now. Smoltz came in to the game with a 3-1 record and a 0.78 era in 4 starts, striking out 31 in 23 innings pitched. It’s a very impressive start for a pitcher of his age, let alone any pitcher. “He’s been dominating all season,” manager Bobby Cox said. “This is the only time he didn’t dominate.”

If a stint on the DL is needed, you would probably see Chuck James called up to take his spot in the rotation.

HGH KO’s a top Braves prospect

One of the Atlanta Braves top prospects was suspended for 50 games for using HGH - human growth hormone. Unfortunately for the organization, it was Jordan Schafer who almost broke camp with the big league club. The commissioner’s office announced the suspension today and that it will take place immediately.

Schafer just started his season with AA-Mississippi and was batting an .091 (1 for 11) in 4 games. Like I said earlier, Schafer almost broke camp with the team, not being sent down to minor league camp till March 22nd. In the Grapefruit League, he batted .316 with 4 doubles, 3 sac flies and 6 rbis. Reaching base at a .421 clip. “He’s a good looking player,” manager Bobby Cox said. “If anything happens to [Mark] Kotsay, he’d be back in the mix.” That of course was said before today’s announcement.

For anyone who thinks his performance is based on using HGH is kidding themselves. Schafer may only be 21 years old, but he’s always been considered a top prospect all the way back to a 13-year old when he was ranked the top prospect in 2000 by Baseball America. Schafer may have been aided by HGH in his huge jump last season in talent but this kid was always something special and most likely would of made the big leagues by 23, 24 at the latest. Cox was ready to call him back up when needed, and it was expected he’d take over next year as the teams starting center fielder. That may be pushed back a little now.

The Braves are known for working with their players on this issue and not judging them. Another big prospect of theirs Tyler Flowers also served a suspension and received a team pardon for it. The old saying lies true, talent always wins out. “We are extremely disappointed that Jordan has violated the Commissioner’s Performance Enhancing Drug Policy,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said in a prepared statement. “We are supportive of the program and will continue to educate all of our players.”

Giants shopping for a first baseman

San Francisco Giants’ GM Brian Sabean said on his weekly radio show that the team is still searching for a left-handed hitting first baseman. The Giants have had conversations within the organization on different players, the two main candidates would be Washington Nationals Nick Johnson and Atlanta Braves Scott Thorman. Both were on the trading block during the off-season and spring training, but are they still available?

I doubt the Nationals would look to dealing Johnson. Johnson has had an amazing start to the season after missing all of 2007 due to injury. He’s been playing first daily again and it looks like the Nationals are very happy with him. So you would have to think the Giants won’t even inquire about him. If they do, I’m sure the Nationals requirements have gone up since the spring ended.

The most likely one out of the two is Thorman. Thorman is currently in AAA and won’t even be recalled to Atlanta unless there is an injury or a major slump. Remember, the Braves have Mark Texeira at first so where would Thorman play? At the moment, the Braves are looking to find a trading partner FOR Thorman. Seems like a perfect match to me. The Giants could easily send an average middle reliever and get the left-handed 1B they seek.

The person who loses out the most in this is Dan Ortmeier, a switch-hitter, is currently the teams left-handed hitting 1B. Ortmeier has pretty much gotten no opportunity to start the season as Rich Aurilia continues to start ahead of him. Guess the team must have lost faith in the 26-year older. Not quite sure why thou as he did have 17 extra base hits (6 of them homers) in just 157 at-bats, he’s even got pretty good speed tallying 4 triples .

Braves rotation changes

A rain out changed the Atlanta Braves rotation for the weekend but injuries have went an changed them again. The Braves initial plans were for John Smoltz to come of the DL and start Sundays finale verse the New York Mets. After Fridays rain out the team said they would keep the rotation in tact and not make any changes. That means Tom Glavine would start Sunday, with Smoltz pushed back to Monday.

Well that’s changed again. The team has decided its best for John Smoltz and his cranky shoulder to start in the warmer weather of Atlanta then in Colorado. So we’re now back to John Smoltz pitching Sunday against the Mets. The loser in the deal, Tom Glavine. He’ll now start Sunday in the colder weather against the Colorado Rockies.

Smart move on the Braves part, no idea why they made that announcement of keeping their rotation in tact. Maybe they were playing head games with the Mets and Johan Santana.

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