Braves Pitchers ready to go

Wren: Hampton ready to make another comeback in spring training

ATLANTA (AP) - Mike Hampton, who hasn't pitched in a major

league game since 2005, is expected to be ready for the start of

spring training as he continues his comeback from two elbow

surgeries and a hamstring injury.

Hampton has to show he is healthy. It is too early to list the

left-hander among the Atlanta Braves' projected starters as

pitching coach Roger McDowell's conditioning camp begins tomorrow

at Turner Field, two weeks before the start of spring training.

General manager Frank Wren says Hampton has full clearance to

join workouts when pitchers and catchers report to spring training

on February 14th.

Wren said of Hampton, "He's fine. He's 100 percent. He has no

restrictions going into spring training."

Hampton has been working out in Phoenix and may not join the

voluntary conditioning camp in Atlanta.

Hampton suffered a right hamstring injury in the first inning of

his first start in a winter league game in Mexico in November. This

came after his 2007 season ended when he suffered a torn flexor

tendon in his left elbow last spring as he was making a comeback

from ligament replacement surgery in the elbow.

The hamstring injury renewed doubts that Hampton, 35, can remain

healthy and join John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Tom Glavine to give

the team four former 20-game winners, each with more than 130

career wins.

Wren said Hampton has fully recovered from the hamstring injury.

Wren said the injury shouldn't hurt Hampton's comeback chances.