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.
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