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Hampton makes return for Braves

Apr 3, 2008 - 4:22 PM Pittsburgh (1-1) at Atlanta (1-2) 7:10 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The last time Mike Hampton was healthy, the Atlanta Braves were winning the 13th of 14 straight National League East division titles.

The injury-prone 35-year-old makes his first start in more than two years on Thursday as the Braves aim to take the rubber-game of a three-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Braves, who finished third in the National League East last season, hope Hampton can stay healthy and help them return to prominence in the NL East.

Hampton, who has not pitched since 2005 due to elbow injuries, made it through spring training relatively healthy - though he was slowed by a strained groin.

The lefthander went 5-3 in 12 starts in 2005 before undergoing the first of two "Tommy John" surgeries.

He tried to return in 2007, but the comeback was cut short because of a tendon that hadn't reacted properly after the previous surgery.

"I feel good about where I am, and I feel good about my stuff," said Hampton, who is in the final year of an eight-year, $121 million deal he signed while with Colorado. "I accomplished what I thought I needed to."

Manager Bobby Cox is certainly optimistic about his return.

"It could make all the difference in the world to have a guy of his caliber out there," Cox said.

Hampton will be opposed by lefthander Zach Duke, who went 3-8 with a 5.53 ERA in 19 starts last season.

On Wednesday, Yunel Escobar drove in three runs, while Chipper Jones and Mark Teixeira had two RBI in a 10-2 rout.