Tuesday, November 27, 2007

"Handle with Care" Hampton

This probably flew under your radar. Why? Maybe it's because it's football season, and everybody's thinking about BCS and NFL. Maybe because you aren't all rabid Braves fans. Or maybe, it's because this has become an annual occurrence, as newsworthy as leaves falling off of trees each autumn.

Yep - Mike Hampton is injured again. Pulled a hammy after pitching less than an inning of winter ball in Mexico.

The same Mike Hampton who is due to earn $15 Million in the final year (FINALLY) of the ridiculous (hindsight is 20/20, isn't it) $121 Million, eight-year contract that the Braves acquired from Colorado (via Florida). The same Mike Hampton who hasn't pitched in the majors since August of 2005.

Given, this looks to be just a minor injury. And I'd be thrilled to see vintage 2003-2004 Hampton come back next year and rack up the innings. But let's face it: He hasn't exceeded 200 innings since 2001, he's untested in the post-Mazzone era in Atlanta, and he's the most fragile pitcher in baseball. I'm not holding my breath.

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