Braves prospect suspended for drug use New York, NY (Sports Network) - Major League Baseball levied a 50-game
suspension against Atlanta Braves minor league pitcher Matthew Small on
Tuesday.
Small, who was pitching for the Appalachian League's Danville club, was
penalized after testing positive for amphetamines. The suspension will take
effect at the start of the 2009 season.
The Boston Globe reports Tom Glavine got a good report from Dr. James Andrews on his elbow last week. He could sign an incentive-laden deal to return to Atlanta next season.
Our View:Glavine made only 13 starts this season and posted an ERA above 5.00, so he should be relatively cheap if he decides to return.
The Atlanta Braves believe both Tom Glavine and John Smoltz will be healthy come spring training, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I think in both cases [for Smoltz and Glavine], theyre ready for spring training. We wont know for sure until they increase the intensity on their throwing programs later in the winter, but I think both of them are on track to be ready," said Braves GM Frank Wren.
Our View:Smoltz had his shoulder repaired with surgery, and Glavine had both shoulder and elbow surgeries this season. The team would like to bring both back, but counting on them - along with Mike Hampton - to be healthy all season is a dangerous proposition.
The Atlanta Braves have told pitcher Mike Hampton that they would like to re-sign him, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Our View:With the age and health status of their other hurlers, this seems like a risky move, but Hampton did throw well down the stretch. The only question is if he can stay healthy, which, obviously, he has not been able to do for a number of years.
