Thursday, June 12, 2008

Ailing Braves put Glavine on DL with elbow injury

CHICAGO -- Tom Glavine went on the 15-day disabled list for just the second time in his 22-year career -- both trips this season -- as the injuries mounted Wednesday for the Atlanta Braves. Ailing Braves put Glavine on DL with elbow injury

Glavine

Glavine, who could only go three innings against the Cubs on Tuesday night because of the pain in a strained left elbow, joins starters John Smoltz and Mike Hampton on the disabled list. Earlier this season, Glavine went on the DL with a hamstring injury.

What else could go wrong for the Braves?

Jair Jurrjens, who was scheduled to start Wednesday night's game, twisted his right ankle on the steps outside the Braves' clubhouse following Tuesday night's 10-5 loss.

"Just missed a step," Jurrjens said, adding that he hopes to miss only one start. Jeff Bennett got the spot start Wednesday night.

"He was coming out of the clubhouse to get on the bus," Braves manager Bobby Cox said of the latest injury to a starter.

But Cox didn't bemoan the bad luck.

"Keep going," he said. "We got other guys, too. ... You don't want to lose four or your first five [starters] the first two months."

Smoltz had surgery on his shoulder Tuesday and the team said it would be several months before it is clear whether he can continue his career. Hampton has been on the DL since March 30 with a strained left pectoral.

Now it's Glavine who is hurting. His short outing came at the same ball park where last August he won his 300th game while with the Mets.

He returned to Atlanta and is scheduled to have an MRI on Thursday.

"When I throw the ball the way I wanted to, it hurts," Glavine said Tuesday night, adding that the elbow had been bothering for nearly a month and had gotten progressively worse. "I try to find a slot where it doesn't hurt so bad and then I can't throw it where I want to. Kind of beating my head against the wall. ... I'm not doing myself any good and I'm not doing us any good."

The Braves made several roster moves Wednesday. They recalled outfielder Brandon Jones and left-hander Jeff Ridgway from Triple-A Richmond and they optioned outfielder Josh Anderson to Richmond.

Cox said Charlie Morton would also be called up from Triple-A to start Saturday's game against the Angels. Jorge Campillo will start Sunday.

The Braves' disabled list also currently includes outfielders Mark Kotsay and Matt Diaz.

There was one bit of encouraging news Wednesday -- Chipper Jones was back in the lineup. He went 1-for-3 in a 7-2 loss.

Jones, leading the majors with a .420 average, had been out of the lineup for two straight games because of a small tear in his right quadriceps. He did pinch-hit Tuesday night and drew a walk.


Cox thinks Smoltz may return within next 2 weeks
Delhomme looks snappy testing arm in workout
Elbow strain lands Padres reliever Cameron on DL