LOS ANGELES - John Smoltz will return to Atlanta on Thursday and meet with Braves doctors about his right shoulder discomfort, which will force him to miss next Tuesday's All-Star game as well as Saturday's scheduled start at San Diego.
The 40-year-old Smoltz, who has lost three of five starts since tweaking his shoulder on May 29, will use the All-Star break to get treatment and rest. He will meet with doctors Friday to discuss what type of test is appropriate, and is planning on making his next start on July 17 giving him 12 days between starts.
``It's best to get home, let them examine me and then they're going to decide what the next step is going to be for me,'' Smoltz told MLB.com as he was walking off the field following batting practice on Wednesday. ``I've got to maximize this time, and this is the best window of opportunity.''
Smoltz (9-5, 3.07 ERA) got the decision in an 8-2 loss to the Dodgers on Monday night after giving up three runs and seven hits over six innings and striking out six. The club has no plans at the moment to put him on the disabled list.
``I think he's going to be fine,'' manager Bobby Cox said. ``He should be fine at the tail end of the rotation after the All-Star break.''
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Wednesday
February 26th, 2025
1:11AM
