May 2, 2008 MLB.com reports that those who predicted that Mike Hampton wouldn't throw a pitch for the Braves this season are moving closer to being correct.
When Hampton exited Wednesday afternoon's Minor League rehab start with Triple-A Richmond because of more discomfort in his left pectoral muscle, the Braves knew the news wasn't good. After they had a chance to talk to the 35-year-old hurler, they came to understand that his exit wasn't simply a precautionary action.
"I did it worse than before," said Hampton, who originally strained the left pectoral muscle approximately 10 minutes before making his scheduled April 3 start against the Pirates. "I don't know what kind of timetable there is for this. All I know is it's pretty bad."
April 30, 2008 Mike Hampton was forced to leave Wednesday afternoon's minor league rehab start after feeling more pain in his strained left pectoral muscle, according to MLB.com. Hampton called toward the dugout in the fourth inning, prompting Triple-A Richmond manager Dave Brundage and trainer Mike Grauss to visit the mound. A few moments later, Hampton left the game and put his return to the Majors in even further doubt. Braves' GM Frank Wren stated, "He was throwing good and then he just started feeling it during those last three pitches. He just thought it was best to come out."
April 26, 2008 Braves' left-hander Mike Hampton (strained left pectoral muscle) allowed three hits in three scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Richmond. Hampton threw 50 pitches in the effort.
April 22, 2008 With a successful bullpen session on Tuesday evening in the books, LHP Mike Hampton feels he may be ready for minor-league rehab starts, according to MLB.com.
April 19, 2008 Mike Hampton had another successful bullpen session on Saturday as he continues to try and work his way back onto the mound, this according to MLB.com. "It went pretty well -- I threw just breaking balls this time," said Hampton. "I didn't feel anything bite me. Mentally, I'm a little tentative, maybe, trying to feel my way through it."
