McCarroll21
03-25-2007, 10:36 PM
Braves Eyeing Hampton Return
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
It was almost three weeks ago that Mike Hampton suffered what was thought to be a major setback in his return to the Braves rotation. After sitting out all of 2006 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Hampton was just days away from making his 2007 Spring Training debut when he suffered an oblique strain during a batting practice session.
At that time, the Braves thought they could be without the services of Hampton well into June, triggering the signing of Mark Redman. What was not factored in to the time he was expected to miss is the fact that Hampton bats right handed, while throwing left handed. Because of this, the oblique Hampton strained was not that of his pull side, thus resulting in a sooner return. Just eleven days after he suffered the injury, Hampton threw in the outfield at distances up to 90 feet, days later he was back on the mound for the first time since throwing in the Instructional League last fall. During that bullpen session, Hampton threw 50 pitches and felt no discomfort in his side.
After gauging the progress of Hampton in subsequent bullpen sessions, the Braves have put a timetable on his return. As of now, the Braves expect Hampton to rejoin the team on May 7, a game in San Diego, which is oddly enough the place where his run of injuries began in the 2005 season. The May 7 timetable would mark exactly two months after his oblique injury occurred.
When Hampton returns, he will join John Smoltz and Tim Hudson in the rotation as past twenty game winners. He will also pair with Redman to give the Braves four former all-stars in the rotation. The four pitchers combine for 12 all-star appearances. The lone pitcher yet to be named to an all-star team is Chuck James, who has the talent to be the Braves best starting pitcher for brief stretches of time.
Since becoming a Brave before the start of the 2003 season, Hampton has started 72 games owns a 32-20 record. Each year his ERA has been below league average, on his way to a 3.96 ERA in 431.2 IP. He was at his best as a Brave during the 22 starts he made before he began experiencing problems with his elbow. During that time, he compiled a 15-2 record to go along with a 2.62 ERA.
The road for Hampton to make his return to the major leagues is uncertain as of now, but the date is set. If Hampton follows the schedule that the Braves have planned, he will only miss five potential starts.
Hampton's return to the team will be a welcomed sight, as he hasn't pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2005. Since then, the Braves have seen the likes of Travis Smith, Jason Shiell, and Kevin Barry take the mound to start games for the Braves, even reaching as far as turning to Oscar Villarreal for four starts, in the 2006 season as a result of the absence of Mike Hampton. Those projects didn't go over well, to say the least, so this year when Hampton went down the Braves went out to bring in veteran left hander Mark Redman to add to the pitching depth.
Now with the return of Hampton on the horizon, what was one of the Braves weaker points is beginning to turn into a strength of the team. Redman has pitched well enough to ensure him a spot on the major league roster when they break camp. This means that one of Lance Cormier or Kyle Davies will head to Richmond to open the season, and all indications point to Davies being the odd man out. Hampton's return will result in Cormier joining Davies in Richmond's rotation, giving the Braves two viable pitching options to turn to in time of need.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
It was almost three weeks ago that Mike Hampton suffered what was thought to be a major setback in his return to the Braves rotation. After sitting out all of 2006 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Hampton was just days away from making his 2007 Spring Training debut when he suffered an oblique strain during a batting practice session.
At that time, the Braves thought they could be without the services of Hampton well into June, triggering the signing of Mark Redman. What was not factored in to the time he was expected to miss is the fact that Hampton bats right handed, while throwing left handed. Because of this, the oblique Hampton strained was not that of his pull side, thus resulting in a sooner return. Just eleven days after he suffered the injury, Hampton threw in the outfield at distances up to 90 feet, days later he was back on the mound for the first time since throwing in the Instructional League last fall. During that bullpen session, Hampton threw 50 pitches and felt no discomfort in his side.
After gauging the progress of Hampton in subsequent bullpen sessions, the Braves have put a timetable on his return. As of now, the Braves expect Hampton to rejoin the team on May 7, a game in San Diego, which is oddly enough the place where his run of injuries began in the 2005 season. The May 7 timetable would mark exactly two months after his oblique injury occurred.
When Hampton returns, he will join John Smoltz and Tim Hudson in the rotation as past twenty game winners. He will also pair with Redman to give the Braves four former all-stars in the rotation. The four pitchers combine for 12 all-star appearances. The lone pitcher yet to be named to an all-star team is Chuck James, who has the talent to be the Braves best starting pitcher for brief stretches of time.
Since becoming a Brave before the start of the 2003 season, Hampton has started 72 games owns a 32-20 record. Each year his ERA has been below league average, on his way to a 3.96 ERA in 431.2 IP. He was at his best as a Brave during the 22 starts he made before he began experiencing problems with his elbow. During that time, he compiled a 15-2 record to go along with a 2.62 ERA.
The road for Hampton to make his return to the major leagues is uncertain as of now, but the date is set. If Hampton follows the schedule that the Braves have planned, he will only miss five potential starts.
Hampton's return to the team will be a welcomed sight, as he hasn't pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2005. Since then, the Braves have seen the likes of Travis Smith, Jason Shiell, and Kevin Barry take the mound to start games for the Braves, even reaching as far as turning to Oscar Villarreal for four starts, in the 2006 season as a result of the absence of Mike Hampton. Those projects didn't go over well, to say the least, so this year when Hampton went down the Braves went out to bring in veteran left hander Mark Redman to add to the pitching depth.
Now with the return of Hampton on the horizon, what was one of the Braves weaker points is beginning to turn into a strength of the team. Redman has pitched well enough to ensure him a spot on the major league roster when they break camp. This means that one of Lance Cormier or Kyle Davies will head to Richmond to open the season, and all indications point to Davies being the odd man out. Hampton's return will result in Cormier joining Davies in Richmond's rotation, giving the Braves two viable pitching options to turn to in time of need.