Where's Mike Hampton?

[Frayed Knot]

And, no, this isn't like Where's Waldo. Nor do I mean the Mikehampton that sits between Westhampton and Bridgehampton out on the east end of Lawn Guyland.

I mean that Dolphin-faced guy that used to pitch for us.
He's still on the Atlanta roster but he hasn't pitched yet and I didn't even see him in pre-season forecast capsules of Braves baseball.
I assume that means he's injured but I can't find any proof of this or reason for it.

Is he hurt? ... and what's his boo-boo and how long will he be out?

Sincerely,
Curious in New York



P.S. Atlanta just lost (Giants) and continue to get seriously bad pitching so far. Hudson got knocked around for 8 runs in 4 or 5 innings and their bullpen is a mess.

[metirish]

From the Braves site..

] 4/6/06 Horacio Ramirez Placed on the 15-day disabled list. 3/31/06 Macay McBride Placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left forearm, retroactive to March 24. Kelly Johnson Placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow, retroactive to March 24. Mike Hampton Placed on the 15-day disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery, retroactive to March 24. John Foster Placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow, retroactive to March 24.

I didn't know he had that surgery.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I think the injury ended his 2005. I don't know when he had his surgery, but he's expected to miss 2006. He's the highest paid Brave, but I don't know if part of that is still being covered by the Marlins. Heck, he may be the Marlins' largest salary obligation without him ever having played for them.

[soupcan]

That's turning into some kind of checkered career for that dude.

[Guest cooby]

Whoops wrong thread

[Guest mlbaseballtalk]

soupcan wrote: That's turning into some kind of checkered career for that dude.

Well he turned out all right for us...

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

]P.S. Atlanta just lost (Giants) and continue to get seriously bad pitching so far. Hudson got knocked around for 8 runs in 4 or 5 innings and their bullpen is a mess.

Only a matter of time before they start the annual 2 straight months of .700 ball.

[Frayed Knot]

"I don't know when he had his surgery, but he's expected to miss 2006."

I don't know either. I didn't even know he had it and you'd think that would be something most of us would remember. I guess it's only a matter of time and procedure until that 15-day DL thing is transferred to the 60.


"He's the highest paid Brave, but I don't know if part of that is still being covered by the Marlins."

This is actually the year that the Braves start paying full freight for him. He's signed for this year plus the next two.



"Only a matter of time before they start the annual 2 straight months of .700 ball."

Yeah, I'm just wondering which out-of-nowhere guy comes up to plug whichever hole they have at that moment. One of last year's guys - Jeff Francoeur - is off to an awful start. Maybe that lack of plate discipline is catching up to him. If I had to bet on a young player from last year's call-ups I'd go with Florida's Jeremy Hermida over Francoeur. Less spectacular atleticism maybe but much better strike zone control.

[Guest Edgy DC]

No, last year was one of the years that the pulled it off with guys you (and Baseball America) had scarecely heard of. This year is to be one of the years they pull it off with guys you thought were retired or dead.

[Guest old original jb]

Edgy DC wrote: This year is to be one of the years they pull it off with guys you thought were retired or dead.

I thought we had cornered the market on old guys.

[Frayed Knot]

="Edgy DC"]No, last year was one of the years that the pulled it off with guys you (and Baseball America) had scarecely heard of. This year is to be one of the years they pull it off with guys you thought were retired or dead.

Well so far this year they've started with Kenny Ray a 31 y/o RHP whose only ML experience was a brief stint w/the Royals in 1999.
So, after almost 7 years out of the majors, the first batter the Braves throw him in against is some guy named Bonds ... who Ray promptly strikes out on 3 pitches.
All told so far he's pitched 3 hitless innings (1 BB) w/3 Ks and zero runs against.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Atlanta just seems to have a way of coming up with unproven youngster, cast-off retreads, and aged veterans that somehow step in and contribute to the Braves success each season. They don't even have Leo Mazzone to guide the pitchers anymore yet they keep finding players to plug into the holes in their line up. Sometimes I marvel at their scouting and development program.

Until proven otherwise, I still believe that the road to the NL East title goes through Atlanta. This year, I believe the Mets have the players to finally end Atlanta's run. It won't be easy and time will tell if this team can live up to it's potential.

[Centerfield]

What I'm amazed at is their ability to make sure that these guys suck again the minute they leave Atlanta. Oftentimes after coaxing large contracts from other teams.

Yes Denny Neagle, I'm talking about you.

[Frayed Knot]

Chipper placed on the 15-day DL. Apparently it's only a semi-minor sprain and not nearly as bad as it looked yesterday.

Braves beat Phils tonight. Reclamation project Kenny Ray tosses a scoreless 8th - although he actually gave up some baserunners.