posted July 17, 2008
) Photo by Tim Evearitt (file photo) Mike Hampton |
Hampton was forced to leave after the second inning of Wednesday night's start for Double-A Mississippi with a strained left groin. There was strong indication this would have been the final Minor League rehab start for the 35-year-old left-hander, who hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2005.
According to Braves general manager Frank Wren, Hampton mildly strained his left groin last week and continued to pitch. He felt it again during Wednesday's first inning, and returned to pitch the second inning with a wrap on his leg.
During that second inning, he surrendered a leadoff homer to Carolina first baseman Gaby Sanchez and issued a walk. But that was the only damage he incurred during the inning.
He will be re-evaluated Thursday.
This is the final year of Hampton's eight-year, $121 million contract, and there have been many who have wondered if he'll ever pitch again in the Majors. He missed the past two seasons recovering from separate surgical procedures on his left elbow.
This year, he has encountered frustration whenever it has appeared that he is just one step, or even minutes, away from pitching in the Majors again.
All indications were that Hampton would begin this year in the Atlanta rotation. But approximately 10 minutes before his scheduled season debut on April 3, he strained his left pectoral muscle.
Before he aggravated that same injury during an April 30 rehab start for Triple-A Richmond, his thoughts were that he was making his final step toward a return to the Atlanta rotation.
The Braves opted to send Hampton to their Spring Training facilities in June to give him a chance to slowly work his way back. He then made one start for both Class A Rome and Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach before moving on to make these past two starts with Mississippi.
______
Adapted from MLB.com
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |