Hampton Already Injured
The first clear signal Spring Training has begun in earnest for the Atlanta Braves organization has arrived: Mike Hampton is injured once again.
The lefty hurler, who once went 22-4 in 1999 with the Houston Astros but hasn’t thrown in a regular season game since 2005, left abruptly in the second inning of today’s game against the Detroit Tigers (his second outing of the spring).
Apparently, he injured his right groin to add to his list of injuries (along with his shoulder, hamstring and left elbow that he’s had surgery on twice since last pitching in a game).
As we stated yesterday in our National League East preview, Hampton could actually be the key to the Braves’ chances of regaining the edge in the pennant race.
While a Hampton injury has become commonplace to Braves’ fans. There is some good news for the Braves about this injury. The good news is that the injury is not perceived to be serious. It is being listed as a mild strained groin, and he is being listed as day-to-day.
However, this leg injury could be linked to the strained hamstring he suffered in the same leg in the winter leagues in his first and only outing. If this is true, and with Hampton’s injury history, his current injury could similarly lead to another injury.
Fans of Hampton and the Braves can only hope for the best but go ahead and dread the worst. If Hampton loses another season, don’t expect the Braves to hold onto him as he is set to make $14.5 million this season and $15 million next year before an $20 million option in 2009 — an awfully hefty price tag for someone who hasn’t thrown over 100 innings since 2004.
Shotgun Spratling
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