Baseball Guru
08-27-2003, 08:13 PM
By KEITH PARSONS, AP Sports Writer
August 27, 2003
ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta Braves closer John Smoltz went on the disabled list Wednesday with tendinitis in his right elbow, probably derailing his chances of breaking the single-season save record.
Team physician Dr. Joe Chandler stressed several times that the condition is not serious, and said Smoltz is not expected to have any lingering effects when he returns Sept. 7.
Smoltz, who had reconstructive surgery his right elbow in 2000, will rest completely for seven days.
``This is an enforced period of rest that John otherwise wouldn't take,'' Chandler said. ``This takes it out of his hands. This is not a serious problem.''
A year after setting the NL record with 55 saves, Smoltz has a major league-best 44 this season and was on pace to beat the all-time mark of 57 set in 1990 by Bobby Thigpen.
The Braves have the best record in the majors at 84-47, and they have a 14-game lead in the NL East.
``This is classic tendinitis,'' said Smoltz, who's had problems warming up because of the ailment. ``You have to do more to pitch less.''
``I want to pitch in the postseason at my best,'' he said. ``If this was a four-game lead, I wouldn't be doing this. This is a luxury thing.''
Chandler took Smoltz to see orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., earlier Wednesday. After an examination that included an MRI test, Andrews made the diagnosis.
August 27, 2003
ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta Braves closer John Smoltz went on the disabled list Wednesday with tendinitis in his right elbow, probably derailing his chances of breaking the single-season save record.
Team physician Dr. Joe Chandler stressed several times that the condition is not serious, and said Smoltz is not expected to have any lingering effects when he returns Sept. 7.
Smoltz, who had reconstructive surgery his right elbow in 2000, will rest completely for seven days.
``This is an enforced period of rest that John otherwise wouldn't take,'' Chandler said. ``This takes it out of his hands. This is not a serious problem.''
A year after setting the NL record with 55 saves, Smoltz has a major league-best 44 this season and was on pace to beat the all-time mark of 57 set in 1990 by Bobby Thigpen.
The Braves have the best record in the majors at 84-47, and they have a 14-game lead in the NL East.
``This is classic tendinitis,'' said Smoltz, who's had problems warming up because of the ailment. ``You have to do more to pitch less.''
``I want to pitch in the postseason at my best,'' he said. ``If this was a four-game lead, I wouldn't be doing this. This is a luxury thing.''
Chandler took Smoltz to see orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., earlier Wednesday. After an examination that included an MRI test, Andrews made the diagnosis.