Braves’ Hampton could be out two months
- Share via
Atlanta Braves left-hander Mike Hampton injured his left side during batting practice and won’t be ready for the start of the regular season.
Hampton, starting the seventh season of an eight-year, $121-million contract, will miss the rest of spring training and could be out as long as two months. The Braves had been counting on him to bolster a rotation that includes John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Chuck James.
“I think I pulled it pretty bad,” Hampton said Thursday. “There’s nothing you can do about it now except try to get it healed up and get it better.”
X-rays were negative and team doctors determined that he strained his left oblique, a serious injury for a pitcher.
Hampton, who missed all of last season after elbow surgery, already was coming along slower than expected. He isn’t likely to return to the majors before May.
*
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Josh Kinney needs elbow ligament-replacement surgery and will probably miss the entire season. Kinney was a top candidate for the setup relief role this season.... Outfielder Jody Gerut was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates after nearly two years of inactivity because of a knee injury.... Infielder Tony Womack was unconditionally released by the Washington Nationals.... Oakland Manager Bob Geren said he will move Milton Bradley to center field to replace injured Mark Kotsay.
More to Read
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.