Smoltz “Likely” to Begin Season on DL
UPDATE: (Mar 24, 9:12am EST) - As per David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, it appears “likely” that John Smoltz will begin the season on the disabled list due to his sore shoulder. A 15-day DL stint would have him back to pitch on April 6th (thanks to backdating) against the Mets; the first time the team would need a 5th starter.
UPDATE: (Mar 21, 2:00pm EST) - Don’t be too alarmed, Braves fans. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Dave O’Brien has talked to Smoltz and takes the opinion that this is nothing major. According to O’Brien, “it’s not soreness in the rotator cuff/labrum area and…there wouldn’t appear to be reason to panic…This seems like the type of stuff he’s been dealing with the last couple of seasons.”
Mar 21, 11:47am (EST) - According to mlb.com, Atlanta Braves’ starting pitcher John Smoltz will not make his scheduled start versus the Cleveland Indians due to some shoulder tightness. Smoltz does not seem to feel the issue is serious, and his removal from the start could be more of a precautionary measure taken by the club as spring training winds down. No further details are available at this time, but Smoltz did give up 5 runs in his final inning of work during his spring debut last week.
Nothing to be too alarmed about…yet. Smoltz is not getting any younger, but this is something he probably could try to pitch through if it was a regular season game. More details to follow when they are released.
Filed under: Atlanta Braves
This isn’t a problem , yet. If Smoltz can still get two more games of work in before the season starts he will be fine.
Otherwise , he might not be ready to go five or six innings.
But still , that’s where Jeff Bennett comes into the picture should he be needed. The Braves have so much pitching depth if needed.
And for all you people who don’t know who Jeff Bennett is , trust me , you will soon.
Smoltz was in the TV booth today and he said that his first start would be on April 6th. The Braves might put him on the fifteen day D.L. retroactive to his last start.