Projo Sox Blog

Pitcher John Smoltz may no longer be a lock to make his original June 1 return date from shoulder surgery, but he is progressing, and should throw several innings in Florida at the end of this week.

Smoltz threw a side session Wednesday and the results were excellent. He could throw several simulated innings in a game on Friday.

"He did well. He had a good day. He came out of it feeling good. I think he's on target for Friday to throw a couple innings down in Florida. He really had a good day," manager Terry Francona said .

It is too early to tell how long Smoltz will need to stay in Florida, and when he might begin minor league rehab starts.

"Yeah we've got to figure it all out. The majority of it depends on how he does, how he feels. We've already talked to him before he went down about how this could go or where it could go. We kind of agreed that after he throws we'll put our heads together again and see what's in his best interest," Francona said.

Outfielder Mark Kotsay is also improving, and while he has already blown through his original May 1 return date from back surgery, he could be ready to return at the end of the team's current road trip. Kotsay's back is doing well, Francona said, but a calf strain he suffered during a rehab start in Pawtucket continues to limit him.

"It's a calf setback. It's not his back. His back is doing really well," Francona said.

 Tags  Dan Barbarisi John Smoltz Mark Kotsay Terry Francona

Comments

Henry said:

I hope he will recover soon and returning from this break he will give his hundred percent efforts to get back to the game.

Link | May 19, 2009 3:27 AM
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