With the lingering injuries that John Smoltz is facing early on this season, speculation of him going back to the bullpen have already surfaced. Not only from the media, but it seems the thought has crossed Frank Wren's mind as well as Smoltzie's.
Mark Bowman of mlb.com reports that it is a possibility. Probably a long shot, but it's in the cards.
"Right now I'm sitting at ground zero, taking it day-by-day, looking at every option to help this team get to the playoffs and end my career the way I'd like to end it," Smoltz said in the Wednesday edition of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
"I won't rush back," Smoltz said in the report. "I'll use the best judgment to do what it takes to come back and be successful. The last thing I want to do is bounce back and forth on the DL.
"I will be fine, the team will be fine, and the next time I throw will be because I'm ready."
With the arm problems of Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan, I don't think this is such a bad idea. Smoltz could be the dominant closer that we have needed for the past 5 years. On the other hand, we would be relying on Hudson, Glavine (coming off of the DL), Hampton (his track record speaks for itself), Jarr Jurjens (good so far), and a mixture of Chuck James, Buddy Carlyle, and probably Jo-Jo Reyes to anchor the pitching staff. Can the Braves afford that? I don't know if we can, but if the Braves want to keep Smoltz around for the entire season without anymore injuries, this might be the best solution.
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