Hampton suffers setback during bullpen session

[Crono139]

Just what I want to hear.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

Hampton will fly to New York to meet with doctor

Mike Hampton's struggle to return to the Atlanta Braves' rotation had another setback on Sunday when he felt pain in his left elbow and had to stop throwing in the bullpen.

Hampton plans to fly to New York on Monday to see Dr. David Altchek, the Mets' medical director. Altchek performed ligament replacement surgery on Hampton's elbow Sept. 26, 2005.

Hampton strained a muscle in his left side last month, and the pain kept him from pitching in a game during spring training. But the recurrence of soreness in the elbow could be a greater concern.

After ending the bullpen session, Hampton met with team doctors before Sunday's game against the New York Mets.

The Braves hope Altchek can determine the severity of Hampton's setback.

"We shut down due to discomfort in his elbow," Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell said.

When asked if Hampton was frustrated, McDowell said "Probably so. I think anybody would be."

Hampton, 34, was expected to join John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Chuck James as the leaders of the Braves' rotation. After Hampton strained his muscle during batting practice in spring training, the team signed another left-hander, Mark Redman, who struggled in Friday's loss to the New York Mets.

Hampton went 5-3 in 12 starts for the Braves in 2005, struggling much of the season with a sore elbow that finally required major surgery. He is starting the seventh season of a $121 million, eight-year contract he signed with Colorado after the 2000 season.

[Chubz]

he's done

[LAALLTHEWAY]

when is he expected to be back?

[Crono139]

Originally Posted by LAALLTHEWAY

when is he expected to be back?

Without any setbacks, his return would take place in early May.

He was also supposed to be placed in the minor league for some rehab next week if today's session went well. It obviously didn't.

[Chubz]

i forgot about that contract the rockies gave him

[bub838]

He's been done.

[Crono139]

ESPN.com reports Atlanta Braves SP Mike Hampton (elbow) will miss six to nine months due to a torn flexor tendon in his left arm.

:(

[twentywontowin]

He still won't pitch simulated games any better than Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. They have mastered it.

[jstchilln120]

Originally Posted by twentywontowin

He still won't pitch simulated games any better than Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. They have mastered it.

Haha, can't resist taking shots at the Cubbies can ya?

One of the worst contracts in the history of baseball. Pitchers are so much more likely to go down with some career threatening/ending injury.

[Jerome]

Originally Posted by twentywontowin

He still won't pitch simulated games any better than Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. They have mastered it.

i tried not to laugh, but couldn't control myself.

[jstchilln120]

Originally Posted by thahuhstunna

i tried not to laugh, but couldn't control myself.

Too bad there's no Cubs fans around because that was one of the greatest burns I've seen in a long time.

[Crono139]

What a complete waste.

[Jerome]

Originally Posted by Crono139

What a complete waste.

you have to feel for the guy. there isn't a major leaguer out there who doesn't have a competitive bone in his body (yes even jd drew). of all the major sports, only football players have a greater competitive spirit. hampton is no exception.

having played his position at a very high level, and having experienced injury after injury when i should be developing my game, i can truly understand his frustration. there's nothing worse than working all off season preparing your body for the grind of a season, and then suffering an injury that will keep you out until the next offseason. one begins to question why he does it anymore, if he is finished, and whether or not he'll ever be the same. pitchers realize the risk they take with their bodies (some of these injuries continue to effect the quality of your life outside of the game as well). pitchers realize that at any given moment, you can suffer an injury that will not only end your career as an athlete, but maim you for the rest of your life. yet none of that matters. the only thing that matters is toeing the slab, and getting outs. there's nothing like it, and that's why pitchers persevere.

i hope hampton can recover from these injuries to once again pitch, as do i wish the same for kerry wood and mark prior. been there, done that (although those huge checks would make it alot easier to swallow).