The Braves still haven't decided how long John Smoltz's Minor League rehab assignment will last. But they can certainly be encouraged about the way it started.
Smoltz tossed a scoreless eighth inning for Double-A Mississippi in Saturday night's game against the Tennessee Smokies. More importantly, the Braves' 41-year-old right-hander reported no discomfort in the troublesome right shoulder that caused him to go on the disabled list on May 28.
With a record crowd of 7,381 in attendance at Smokies Park, which is located in Kodak, Tenn., approximately 20 miles east of Knoxville, Smoltz entered the game and allowed just one hit in his one inning of work. He threw eight of his 12 pitches for strikes.
The lone hit surrendered by Smoltz was a Matt Camp grounder in front of the mound that didn't result in an out because first baseman Kala Kaaihue was late getting to the first-base bag.
There was some thought that Smoltz might pitch two innings and he had been scheduled to enter the game in the seventh. But because he had a no-hitter going through six innings, the Braves let Jerome Gamble pitch the seventh inning, during which he surrendered three hits and two runs.
Smoltz will return to Atlanta on Sunday and the Braves will then decide whether to schedule another rehab appearance or activate him from the 15-day DL. The right shoulder discomfort the veteran hurler felt during his five starts this season was a product of an inflamed biceps tendon and an inflamed rotator cuff.
When he was placed on the disabled list, Smoltz determined it would be in the best interest of himself and the Braves for him to return to the relief role that he had from 2001-04. Over the past week, he's attempted to minimize stress on his shoulder by throwing with a three-quarter delivery.
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