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Hampton returns when Braves face Phillies

Jul 26, 2008 - 6:32 AM Atlanta (49-53) at Philadelphia (54-49) 3:55 p.m. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Mike Hampton is finally ready to return to the mound.

Hampton toes the rubber for the Braves for the first time since 2005 when they face the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.

A two-time All-Star, Hampton has dealt with a variety of injures that have kept him off the field for the last 35 months. The 35-year-old righthander, who won 22 games for the Houston Astros in 1999, underwent "Tommy John" surgery in September 2005 and missed the entire 2006 campaign as a result.

While rehabbing from the procedure, Hampton tore a flexor tendon in his elbow, ending his 2007 season, but looked as though he would be ready for 2008. He was scheduled to start April 3, but strained a pectoral muscle while warming up in the bullpen 10 minutes before taking the mound.

Hampton aggravated that injury while rehabbing in the minors before suffering yet another setback when he strained his groin on July 15.

However, it appears that Hampton is healthy and is scheduled to oppose Phillies ace Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.11 ERA).

Hamels has posted a 2.45 ERA over his last three starts, but is 0-1 over that span as Philadelphia has provided the 24-year-old lefthander with just four runs of support.