May 11, 2008 John Smoltz played catch on Sunday, which was his first time throwing a baseball for two weeks. He is out due to a strained right shoulder. Smoltz made 25 throws from about 40 feet. "I know how it felt when it came out of my [hand], and it felt like I could pitch tomorrow," he tells MLB.com. The veteran is also realistic, adding, "I think (my return will be) some time in May. that's what I had in my mind when I went on the disabled list and I still want that to happen." Smoltz plans on making at least two rehab appearances before jumping back to the majors.
May 9, 2008 John Smoltz has said that the pain in his shoulder has mostly subsided following 10 days of rest, and after a couple days more he will be able to pick up a baseball again by Sunday in Pittsburgh, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He will start by playing catch and work his way up to a rehab assignment. He is targeting a return to the Braves by the end of May. He mentioned May 20 against the Mets, but admitted that may be pushing it.
May 5, 2008 John Smoltz is headed to the bullpen upon his return from the DL, according to the AP. Smoltz admitted he is not entirely certain how many bullets he may have left in his right arm, and he added, "I know I can do the role. It has everything to do with how my body reacts. The best avenue to come back is to slowly come back. It does me no good to come back to just pitch five innings. Theres no reason to fight it, complain or pout. I will just attack the problem. I see it like a puzzle and I just find different pieces. Im fired up about the challenge. It may not work but Im fired up about it. My success has confused people. I know its four games and two runs but its been five innings at a time and it was getting harder to do that. The up and down, pitch an inning and sitting down, an inning and pitch, an inning and sitting down, an inning, by the fourth inning was getting to me. I am completely at peace with where I am. If a fortune teller tells me thats it, then Im fine with it. I may still pitch 30 or 40 games this season, but not as a starter. Im focused on doing what it takes this year. We have a very good team. The results havent been good. In about five months, were going to see how this works out."
April 30, 2008 There may be internal debate on how the team will use John Smoltz when he returns from the DL, but if you ask him there is no doubt, he will pitch out of the pen, according to MLB.com. "I'm coming back as a reliever first and then we'll see what happens," Smoltz said. "I hear people say that we can't win without me as a starter. But we're not going to win with me as a five-inning starter either."
April 30, 2008 John Smoltz is weighing his options while he rests on the DL due to his shoulder ailment, and he said he is willing to move back to the Braves' bullpen, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Smoltz said, "Right now I'm sitting at ground zero, taking it day by day, looking at every option to help this team get to the playoffs and end my career the way I'd like to end it."
