Glavine out until All-Star break

Jun 13, 2008 - 9:35 PM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves delivered some bad news concerning Tom Glavine. But they received a more optimistic outlook from John Smoltz.

The Braves announced Friday that Glavine will be out until at least the All-Star break to nurse his injured left elbow.

On the other hand, Smoltz, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery three days ago, said during a conference call that he still hopes to pitch again.

An MRI on Glavine's elbow revealed a small tear in the origin of the flexor tendon, which will not require surgery but needs at least a month to heal.

"The doctors feel that a reasonable time is sometime during the All-Star break," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "It's been very difficult."

Smoltz announced that he will not be able to throw a baseball for four to five months but seemed optimistic that he will return for his 21st season in 2009.

"There was significant damage in the shoulder, but all was fixed and all will allow me to pursue coming back," Smoltz said. "I'm going to continue to rehab it and find out in three, four, five months where it leads me.

"The ability to come back from this is difficult for most people. I feel my mobility will allow me to pitch. I'm confident that the protocol I have and the ability to fast track it. I'll be very aggressive with my rehab."

The Braves have lost six straight games and seven of eight since placing Smoltz on the disabled list on June 3.