WASHINGTON — Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with an ailing right shoulder, though the Braves were told he can get over the problem without surgery.
Smoltz was examined in Birmingham, Ala., by Dr. James Andrews, who diagnosed a severely inflamed biceps tendon and inflammation of the rotator cuff in the right shoulder. The 40-year-old pitcher went on the DL retroactive to Monday.
“It could have been worse. It could have been injured in there or frayed or torn or whatever, but the report is pretty darn good actually,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said before his team’s series opener against the Washington Nationals. “It’s been inflamed for a while, and he has pitched with it.”
Andrews injected Smoltz’s shoulder for the inflammation and prescribed rest and rehabilitation until he is pain free, the team said. The Braves aren’t sure when Smoltz will return.
“He can rest a couple of weeks,” Cox said, “and we’ll see then where we go.”
Smoltz left the team after lasting only four innings in a start at New York on Sunday. He gave up seven hits and four runs in the 6-3 loss to the Mets.
Smoltz’s right shoulder has been a concern since spring training. He started the season on the disabled list with tightness in the back of the shoulder.
After being activated, Smoltz went 3-1 with an 0.78 ERA in his first four starts, also becoming the 16th pitcher in baseball history to reach 3,000 strikeouts. He’s the only pitcher with at least 200 wins and 150 saves.
Elsewhere
CUBS: Manager Lou Piniella said Alfonso Soriano will stay in left field and bat lead off when he returns from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, just as he had been doing. Soriano was off to a slow start before he strained his right calf, batting .175 with just two homers and five RBI. The leg injury is his second in less than a year, but despite calls to drop him in the order, Piniella said Soriano is staying put.
NATIONALS: Left-handed reliever Ray King, 34, elected to become a free agent Tuesday, when Washington removed him from their 40-man roster and attempted to send him outright to Class AAA Columbus. King has a 5.68 ERA this season with no decisions in 12 appearances covering 61/3 innings.
PHILLIES: Philadelphia activated center fielder Shane Victorino from the disabled list before Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres. Outfielder T.J. Bohn was sent to Class AAA Lehigh Valley to make room for Victorino, who was sidelined by a calf strain since April 12. Jayson Werth has filled in for him.
ROYALS: Kansas City released Hideo Nomo on Tuesday, probably ending the Japanese right-hander’s big league career.
The Royals designated Nomo for assignment on April 20, then requested unconditional release waivers five days later.
The 39-year-old Nomo had an 18.69 ERA in three relief appearances, allowing nine runs and 10 hits, including three home runs, in 41/3 innings. Nomo had not pitched in the majors since 2005 before attempting a comeback this year with the Royals.
Nomo’s 123 victories in the majors are the most by a Japanese pitcher. He was the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and threw two no-hitters in his career.
YANKEES: Alex Rodriguez is headed to the 15-day DL after an MRI exam on his strained right quadriceps Tuesday. Meanwhile the team is waiting for three more opinions on Jorge Posada’s injured throwing shoulder before determining whether the All-Star catcher needs surgery.
RED SOX: Third baseman Mike Lowell was in the lineup for Boston’s game against the Toronto on Tuesday night after being activated from the 15-day disabled list. Last year’s World Series MVP sprained his left thumb making a diving play against Detroit on April 9.
INDIANS: Slumping first baseman Ryan Garko was benched Tuesday night against Seattle in an effort to get Cleveland’s sagging offense in gear. Garko, in an 0-for-23 slump that sent his average plummeting to .227, was only part of the shuffle. Casey Blake moved to first base from third, where Andy Marte got the start. Designated hitter Travis Hafner remained in the lineup despite a 7-for-47 (.149) slide.
RANGERS: Third baseman Hank Blalock went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because of a slight tear in his left hamstring. The move was retroactive to Saturday, a day after Blalock was injured against Minnesota. He’s hitting .299 with three home runs and seven RBI.
RAYS: Scott Kazmir is expected to make his season debut for Tampa Bay on Sunday after missing more than a month with an elbow injury. Kazmir made his third rehabilitation start Monday, pitching for Class AAA Durham against Richmond. The left-hander allowed one run and three hits in five innings, striking out three and walking one.
ORIOLES: Baltimore expanded its pitching staff to 13 players Tuesday, recalling Garrett Olson and Rob McCrory from Class AAA Norfolk after a stretch in which the team played four games in three days. Olson started Tuesday night’s game against Tampa Bay and McCrory was sent to the bullpen. ALL-STAR GAME: Fans will pay starry prices for this year’s game at Yankee Stadium. Tickets will be priced at $150-$725 for the July 15 game, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday. That’s up from $75-$285 for last year’s game at San Francisco and $10-15 for box and reserved seats the last time the All-Stars were at Yankee Stadium, in 1977. Tickets for the Home Run Derby and workout day on July 14 are $100-$650, an increase from $50-$225 last year. Tickets for the Futures game on July 13 are $50-225, up from $22.50-$125 last year.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
