Braves SP Mike Hampton's long procession of comeback attempts is taking an emotional toll that forced him to at least briefly consider retirement. Hampton left his rehab start at Triple-A Richmond on Wednesday after aggravating his injured left pectoral muscle. He originally suffered the chest injury in pregame warmups on April 3 when he was only minutes away from completing a comeback from two elbow surgeries. The start would have been his first in almost three years, but instead he was placed on the disabled list. The disappointment made Hampton think about retiring. "I'd be lying, lying to myself, if I said things like that don't creep into your mind when you go through setback after setback after setback," Hampton said Saturday. "With this latest one, they're just saying all we can do is just wait and see. Nobody has any treatment. Nobody has any answer, I don't think." (Updated 05/03/2008).
Injury Report
Pectoral - 15-day DL. Might be out for the season (Updated - 5/3/08)
Fantasy Analysis
After his latest setback, Hampton has been advised to sit out longer before trying to pitch again, possibly the whole season. But the 35-year-old said he's not ready to walk away from the game. "I'm going to exhaust every option, everything I can do to get back on the field and I've done that for three years now," he said. "There's a breaking point with everybody. I've remained positive for a long, long time. Now I have no answers. Physically and mentally I've prepared myself to get on the field and be successful and further my career. Whatever it may be, it's just tough for me to get back on the field." Regardless, Hampton's Fantasy owners should have reached their breaking point by now. His chances of returning to the majors -- much less pitching effectively -- become more and more slim with each injury, and now with him contemplating retirement, who knows? He's probably not worth stashing even in NL-only leagues right now. (Updated 05/03/2008).
Hampton's long procession of comeback attempts is taking an emotional toll that forced him to at least briefly consider retirement. (Updated 05/03/2008)
Advice
Hampton left his rehab start at Triple-A Richmond on Wednesday after aggravating his injured left pectoral muscle. After his latest setback, Hampton has been advised to sit out longer before trying to pitch again. The disappointment made Hampton think about retiring. "I'd be lying, lying to myself, if I said things like that don't creep into your mind when you go through setback after setback after setback," Hampton said.
Braves SP Mike Hampton's long procession of comeback attempts is taking an emotional toll that forced him to at least briefly consider retirement. Hampton left his rehab start at Triple-A Richmond on Wednesday after aggravating his injured left pectoral muscle. He originally suffered the chest injury in pregame warmups on April 3 when he was only minutes away from completing a comeback from two elbow surgeries. The start would have been his first in almost three years, but instead he was placed on the disabled list. The disappointment made Hampton think about retiring. "I'd be lying, lying to myself, if I said things like that don't creep into your mind when you go through setback after setback after setback," Hampton said Saturday. "With this latest one, they're just saying all we can do is just wait and see. Nobody has any treatment. Nobody has any answer, I don't think." (Updated 05/03/2008).
Injury Report
Pectoral - 15-day DL. Might be out for the season (Updated - 5/3/08)
Fantasy Analysis
After his latest setback, Hampton has been advised to sit out longer before trying to pitch again, possibly the whole season. But the 35-year-old said he's not ready to walk away from the game. "I'm going to exhaust every option, everything I can do to get back on the field and I've done that for three years now," he said. "There's a breaking point with everybody. I've remained positive for a long, long time. Now I have no answers. Physically and mentally I've prepared myself to get on the field and be successful and further my career. Whatever it may be, it's just tough for me to get back on the field." Regardless, Hampton's Fantasy owners should have reached their breaking point by now. His chances of returning to the majors -- much less pitching effectively -- become more and more slim with each injury, and now with him contemplating retirement, who knows? He's probably not worth stashing even in NL-only leagues right now. (Updated 05/03/2008).
= probable start
