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Smoltz Done For Season

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The Associated Press

Published: June 5, 2008

ATLANTA - John Smoltz knew the pain was too intense to keep pitching this season.

Now, the Braves right-hander hopes to add one more comeback to his remarkable career.

Smoltz will undergo season-ending surgery on his ailing right shoulder next week, but the 41-year-old is not ready to concede his next move is retirement.

"I've pulled off a lot of miracles," Smoltz said Wednesday at a hastily called news conference. "I probably shouldn't have played this long. I'm looking forward to seeing if I can extend it."

The only pitcher in baseball history with 200 wins and 150 saves already has returned from four operations on his elbow, but it's highly improbable for someone his age to come back from a major procedure.

"This is a sad day for us in many ways," General Manager Frank Wren said. "We don't know the outcome of the surgery, whether it will allow him to come back and pitch, or just allow him to go on with his life."

ALL-STAR FESTIVITIES: In what is being billed as the largest gathering ever of baseball stars, more than 40 Hall of Famers have committed to attending a ceremony before the All-Star Game on July 15 in Yankee Stadium's final year. Earlier that day, the Hall of Famers and this year's All-Stars will be in a parade down Manhattan's Sixth Avenue.

CARDINALS-NATIONALS RAINED OUT: Wednesday night's game between the Cardinals and host Nationals was rained out and will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader today.

The game never had a chance. Heavy thunderstorms, accompanied by sporadic tornado warnings, blanketed the area from mid-afternoon well into the evening. Spectacular lightning displays above the Capitol dome were visible from the upper deck of the new Nationals Park.

MARLINS: Dan Uggla was away from the team for the birth of his child. He returned to Fort Lauderdale, but was expected to be back with the team today for a game against the Braves in Atlanta.

RED SOX: Curt Schilling took a significant step in his effort to return from an injured right shoulder when he threw 25 pitches off a bullpen mound at Fenway Park.

WHITE SOX: Esteban Loaiza, a 21-game winner for the Chicago White Sox five years ago, returned to the team as a free agent.

Cut last month by the Dodgers, the 36-year-old righty signed a one-year deal to be a long reliever and spot starter.

YANKEES: Jorge Posada was activated from the disabled list Wednesday and was available off the bench against Toronto.

The All-Star catcher wasn't in the starting lineup because he caught the previous two days while rehabilitating his throwing shoulder at extended spring training in Florida. Posada had been out since April 28 with right rotator cuff tendinitis.

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