Catcher’s Blog

The Rumor Mill is something I will do mainly throughout the off season since there are more rumors about trades, deals, etc. going on, but I will keep doing it throughout the season as well. The posts will be fewer and posted less often during the season. Of course, though, with Wren being like Schuerholz rumors are probably more than likely to actually be rumors until they are announced as being true somewhere, but it’s something to add to the Hot Stove season when there’s not much else going on. I’ll also try to put my spin on the rumors as well.

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Mike Hampton has had yet another setback by straining his right hamstring from a supposed 2-inning start. Wren isn’t sure that Hampton will be able to pitch again in the Mexican Winter League since there are only four weeks remaining. The Braves are hopeful, though, that he’ll be able to pitch again when Spring Training begins.

“Now we just have less of an indication of where Mike is in his comeback,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “The good news is that he was ecstatic about how his arm felt and how he commanded his pitches.”

“He would love to pitch again [in the Mexican League],” Wren said. “It’s just a matter of if he has enough time to come back.”

The first three spots are locked in with Smoltz, Hudson, and the recent addition of Glavine to the staff. If Hampton is unable to pitch by Opening Day, there are four other pitchers vying for the two vacant spots, Chuck James, Jeff Bennett, Jair Jurrjens, and Jo-Jo Reyes.

Rest of the article.

Here are the highlights of the Braves Notes for November 20, 2007:

• 40-man roster was attended to by adding three RHPs, including Charlie Morton, Zach Schreiber, and Jairo Cuevas, that would have been susceptible for the Rule 5 Draft. While we added these three pitchers, we had to DFA Pete Orr in the process. Should Pete Orr clear waivers, he will probably be given an assignment in the minors once again. This will most likely happen since there are other players somewhat more useful than our own Pete Orr out there.
• Jeff Bennett is having great success in the Venezuelan Winter League going 3-1 with a 1.25 ERA. I believe he’ll also be thrown into the mix for the remaining rotation spot(s).
• Brian McCann had Lasik surgery a few weeks ago and his wedding date has finally been mentioned as being next Saturday, December 1, 2007. 

The entire write-up of the Brave Notes.

Mike Hampton started in his first rehab start yesterday, Thursday, November 22, 2007 for the Mexican League team Navajoa’s. This is the first of his seven starts he’s scheduled to make during the Mexican League. Here is the AJC write-up:

Braves left-hander Mike Hampton pitched one inning and allowed one hit with one strikeout in his Mexican Winter League debut Thursday for Navajoa, the first of seven starts he’s scheduled to make as he embarks on his latest comeback bid.

He has missed the past two seasons recovering from elbow surgeries, and the Braves are cautiously optimistic about the possibility of Hampton returning to the starting rotation in 2008.

Although team officials said two weeks ago that Hampton hoped to pitch three innings in his winter league debut, that decision was apparently reconsidered before Thursday.

“He is in a rehab mode,” said Braves general manager Frank Wren, adding that this was Hampton’s first competitive situation of any kind in over a year.

Wren said the plan is for Hampton to increase his workload to two innings, then three, trying to build arm strength with each start.

Source.

At the beginning of most every week, at least during the off season, there is a mailbag post on the official Braves site with fan-sent questions that are answered by beat writer, Mark Bowman. During the season the mailbag posts are less frequent, but I think they are a good way to keep up with a good source of “rumors” or questions that fans may have to ask, and they usually are answered pretty accurately.

Since it’s the off season, which can get pretty dull, I thought I’d update when they post new questions to the official site. I’ll continue to do this during the season as well, along with the Braves Notes news posts, too. I’m not reposting the questions, just directing you to the questions themselves so you know they’re there. They may help answer some of your questions as well as be a good read.

Braves Mailbag: 11/19/07 (opens in a new window).
- Includes questions about: Andruw, Kenny Lofton, Matty, Gonzo, and even Willy Aybar.