"Braves ace John Smoltz still has inflammation and discomfort in his right shoulder, leaving him unsure when he'll be able to pitch again.

"It could be anywhere between the [late May] timetable I discussed and a lot longer," Smoltz told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for Monday's editions. Smoltz has been on the disabled list since April 29. He hopes to learn more after throwing on the side Tuesday.

The 41-year-old Smoltz reported problems after his bullpen sessions Thursday and Saturday. He has a long history of pitching well while dealing with mild discomfort and said that if all goes well Tuesday, his plans for a minor league rehab stint this month "could very easily fast-track." Smoltz has been on the disabled list twice this season with a sore right shoulder. He says his current three-week stint could grow much longer if his attempts to throw make the trouble worse.

"See, if I keep creating more [inflammation] there's my answer," he said Sunday. "That's just what I have to deal with. … I have to deal with my body showing me a reaction, whether it been a day later or two days later. Until I have that answer I can't really follow anything else." "If physically I can make the adjustments, I will. If I physically can't make the adjustments, then there's no medicine, physical treatments that will help. … I've still got time."......."

"... John Smoltz was supposed to wait until Saturday before testing his shoulder while throwing off the mound. But the veteran pitcher decided he couldn't wait any longer.

Instead of throwing on flat ground from a distance of 120 feet on Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, Smoltz opted to casually throw 25 pitches off the mound.... "

My Note:

All I can note is... take your time Smoltz.. the team needs you to stay healthy, so don't hurt yourself getting healthy! We don't want another Hampton here.