DEVELOPING: Thrashers Sale Price Is US$110M

((HT: Forbes.com/Ozanian))

The resident sports guy at Forbes is Mike Ozanian...

His talking to sources close to the/any proposed sale of the Thrash to anyone willing to pay pennies on the dollar looks like US$110-million to keep the team in town. That group would have Tom Glavine as part of the investor block...

The Thrash, according to Ozanian, would pay a flat-rate fee for rent to Philips since the Hawks are the franchise repsonsible for the arena bond payments.

With the decision on the Coyotes due today one way or the other, according to OSG sources, the next move for franchise relocation could fall to the Thrash. If Glendale, Goldwater, and an owner agree on terms ((which the HQ severely doubts)), then True North Sports and Entertainment would offer US$170M for the Thrash and ship them to Winnipeg.

US$60-million would be to the NHL for a relocation fee...

More when we know more...

Goodbye Tom Glavine, hello Baseball Management...

The Atlanta Braves are getting a new front office person. A 305 game winner, who spent almost his entire career as a Brave, Tom Glavine officially retired from baseball today and took a job with the team.

Glavine, a sure thing Hall of Famer and having interviewed him multiple times and someone who is genuinely of the nicest people in baseball, will be a special assistant to team president John Schuerholz and will reportedly help GM Frank Wren and possibly do some broadcasting.

The story from AJC.Com and their most excellent beat writer David O'Brien RIGHT HERE

((Tom Glavine was a great pitcher//Courtesy: allaroundphilly.com))

There had been rumors of Glavine doing this for most of the offseason. He was released by the Braves in late May of 2009 after trying to rehab from shoulder and elbow injuries.

We think this is an excellent hire for the PR challenged Braves organization. Glavine was very well liked not only around baseball, but is very, very well respected in the Atlanta community. He will likely do very, very well.

Check out Glavine with Greg Maddux and what was at the time a really funny commercial. Thanks You Tube:

Report: Glavine Not Pitching in 2009

((HT: WAGA/MyFoxAtlanta))

FOX 5's Buck Lanford learned Thursday that former Braves pitcher Tom Glavine ((pictured, thanks Fox5)) will not pitch for a Major League Baseball ball club or do anything in baseball during the 2009 season. In a text message Glavine said he is not retiring, just not pitching this season.

Glavine, who was released by the Braves on June 3, left open the possibility of pitching elsewhere this season.

In a text message Glavine said, "I'm not going to pitch or do anything in baseball until at least next year."
However, Glavine did leave open the possibility of being involved in baseball broadcasting this season if the opportunity presented itself.

Glavine said he intends to spend this season as a "full time dad."

Here's the Fox5 report on the matter...
FOSG Ken Rodriguez stands at attention...

Wren: "No Comment" On Glavine Grievance Idea

((HT: ESPN))

Atlanta Braves general manager Frank Wren said Sunday he had no comment on a report Tom Glavine may file a grievance against the team following his release on Wednesday.

Glavine said Friday he believes he was released for financial reasons and to clear a roster spot for Tommy Hanson, who made his major league debut Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Wren, team chairman Terry McGuirk and president John Schuerholz said Glavine was released because they did not believe the 43-year-old left-hander would make a successful return from surgery on his elbow and shoulder.

"It was purely and only on the merits of what gave us the best chance to win, no financial interest whatsoever involved," McGuirk said.

FoxSports.com reported Saturday that Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, is exploring filing a grievance.

Glavine would have received a $1 million bonus if he had been activated from the disabled list for Sunday's start, as he expected.

"I don't believe for a minute that it was totally a performance-related issue, which I'm totally fine with, but I would have appreciated the honesty," Glavine said Friday.

According to the collective-bargaining agreement, players can't be released because of financial reasons.

Schuerholz issued an apology Friday for "the environment and the tone and the manner" of the release.

Schuerholz said he should have better explained the decision to Glavine.

"I, as the president of the club, could have taken more time to explain not only the circumstances around the decision, although we made that decision in unanimous fashion, but to explain to Tommy our high regard for him," Schuerholz said, adding he hopes the organization can maintain "some sort of relationship" with Glavine.

"But I don't feel like I really expressed myself as completely and as fully and to the level that somebody like Tommy deserves," Schuerholz said.

Glavine and Clifton did not respond to requests from The Associated Press for comment about the possible grievance.

More On The Schuerholz Apology

((HT: AJC/Rogers))

Braves president John Schuerholz issued a public apology to Tom Glavine ((pictured, thanks AJC/Curtis Compton)) on Friday afternoon, in the wake of Glavine’s angry comments over his release.

Schuerholz said that in the meeting that he, manager Bobby Cox and general manager Frank Wren had with Glavine on Wednesday, Schuerholz didn’t say enough to explain to Glavine how much he has meant to the organization.

“I want to offer an apology to Tommy,” Schuerholz said. “We made our decision, but the environment and the tone and the manner at the end of it didn’t feel comfortable to me. I tossed and turned pretty much all night long really, after we finished our meeting with Tommy, thinking about here’s this guy who has meant so much to our franchise, to the game of baseball, Hall of Famer, represented our city in grand fashion, and the meeting ended in a way that didn’t make me feel good. I felt like I owed Tommy an apology on behalf of our organization and from me.”

Hear the apology from the afternoon press conference from Schuerholz:

Thanks to our friends at 680theFan in Atlanta

He said he left Glavine a voicemail apologizing and said Glavine had reached out in return. Schuerholz said he hopes to speak to Glavine personally in the few days.

Schuerholz didn’t back down from the decision to release Glavine but regretted not expressing the respect the Braves have for him and the vision they have to keep him “in some sort of relationship” with the organization.

He did not want to address specific complaints from Glavine that he had been blindsided and misled by the Braves.

“I’m talking about my feelings,” Schuerholz said. “Tommy has his, and they’re all real and valid. There’s no disputing how he feels. I can understand a lot of that, or all of it, actually. This was a tough thing. I would have felt better when I thought about it afterward if I’d done a better job in portraying our respect for him in the midst of all that decision-making.”

Tom Glavine Goes Public

Understandably, he's not a happy man...

And much like his fellow rehabbing pitcher, former teammate, and all those other adjectives you could use to identify John Smoltz...

Here's his interview with 680TheFan's "Rude Awakening" program from this morning...
Former Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone is now a co-host on the program and that, probably, helped in drawing Glave's ire into the public arena...

Here's the television version from our friends at WAGA/MyFoxAtlanta...


John Schuerholz admitted publicly, in the last half-hour, that he owed an apology to Glavine.

Schuerholz said that he was not comfortable with the "environment, the tone, and the manner that it was handled." Schuerholz said that he "tossed and turned" all night long after the decision was made.

"It didn't make me feel good," Schuerholz admitted at Turner Field. "I feel we owe him an apology. I've reached out to him a few times, but we have not connected. I hope to talk to him within the next day or so."

Schuerholz was sorry the way the whole situation ended...

Those of us at OSG HQ feel this was a very classy move in this case to keep the mess from truly spiraling out of control...

Smoltz: Glavine's Release "Ain't Right"

((HT: AJC/Boone))

John Smoltz ripped his former team’s release of good friend Tom Glavine, telling reporters in Detroit “it’s just not how you treat people.”

“I’m using a very soft word in ‘disappointed’ because that ain’t right,” said Smoltz, a teammate of Glavine’s for 16 years. The duo won 454 games and three Cy Young Awards as Braves. ((Both are pictured, thanks AJC file))

Glavine, who had been rehabbing from shoulder and elbow surgery, was released Wednesday — “a performance decision,” according to Braves General Manager Frank Wren.

“To go that far in your rehab, and then right before the time, to do that?” Smoltz said following Wednesday’s Red Sox game in Detroit. “Well, it’s not my problem anymore, I just feel bad for a teammate of mine that I had for a long time.”

Smoltz parted ways with the Braves in January after receiving a significantly higher contract offer from Boston. He’s since been critical of Wren, saying the GM effectively forced him out of Atlanta.

The iconic ex-Brave is currently rehabbing in the minors and hopes to be activated in time for Boston’s visit to Turner Field beginning June 26.

Asked if he thought Glavine’s release was financially motivated, Smoltz told reporters, “Yeah, I know too much, let’s just put it that way.”

He’s doubtful his old teammate will pitch for another team.

"I think he’s at a point in his career where this was probably going to be the only situation where he would have gone and worked this hard to try and come back,” Smoltz said in the post-game interview. “I don’t know. I just know he didn’t retire.”

Wren, seemingly, spent all day dancing on Atlanta sports-talk radio defending his decision.

Here's the first interview of many Thursday morning on 680theFan

11PM Update: Glavine Released, McLouth Acquired

((HT: MyFoxAtlanta))

FOSG Buck Lanford led the 11:00 NewsEdge program from Turner Field with some feedback from Chipper Jones...


David O'Brien from the AJC has the details on the Braves trying to make a killshot in the NL east by picking up Pirates Center Fielder Nate McLouth:

One day after sending Jordan Schafer to the minors, the Braves made a bold move to improve their outfield by trading three prospects to Pittsburgh for All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth.
They shipped right-handed starter Charlie Morton, center-field prospect Gorkys Hernandez and minor league lefty Jeff Locke to the Pirates for McLouth, an All-Star and Gold Glove winner last season when he hit 26 homers with 94 RBIs and led the National League with 46 doubles.

“He’s a great pickup for us,” third baseman Chipper Jones said of McLouth, 27, whose nine homers, 34 RBIs and seven stolen bases this season easily surpass the Braves’ current team leaders in each of those categories.

“A week ago I didn’t expect to be able to make a deal for a bat this early,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said after announcing the trade during Wednesday night’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. “I thought it would be later in June or July at the very earliest.”

The Braves acquired a speedy slugger who can bat anywhere in the top half of their order, and who they’ll have under contract for three or four more seasons. McLouth signed a three-year, $15.75 million deal this spring that runs through 2011, with a club option in 2012.

“This happening this early is opportune for us,” Wren said, “because it gives us a lot more of the season to put our team together and gives us a chance to win games.”

McLouth joins a Braves outfield that was tied for last in the majors with 10 homers through Tuesday, and finished last with 27 homers in 2008. He almost single-handedly matched the Braves’ outfield total with his career-high 26 homers in 2008, when he hit .276.

He stole 23 bases in 26 attempts in 2008, and he has not been caught stealing this season.

“He’s a baller, dude,” said Braves closer Mike Gonzalez, a former Pittsburgh teammate.

“Definitely an upgrade. He changes the whole offense. And he’s not just a hitter. He can go get it in center field. He’s a great guy to have in the clubhouse, too. He’s fluent in Spanish, too. Really smart guy.”

Frank Wren Addresses Media On Glavine

((HT: AJC/Bradley))



It was a grim and defensive Wren who faced the press, and sure enough the question arose: Given that John Smoltz was allowed to sign elsewhere and that Glavine has been cut, was he worried about appearances?

“Obviously you’re concerned about everything,” Wren said, “but at the end of the day fans want to win, to be in the playoff hunt … If we have to deal with the consequences of a public-relations backlash, that’s part of doing business.”

Then this: “My duty is to give the 25 players in that clubhouse the best chance to win and the best chance to be playing in October.”

Classless! Braves Release Glavine

((HT: AJC/Christian Boone))

Tom Glavine, the winning pitcher in the game that clinched the Atlanta Braves’ only World Series championship, was released Wednesday, FoxSports.com and ESPN.com are reporting.

National baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, citing major league sources, said the team told Glavine he was being let go because his velocity is down. Glavine was throwing only 76-78 miles per hour in spring training but in recent starts had increased that to 83-86 miles per hour.

The Braves’ rotation was getting crowded, with prized prospects Kris Medlen and Tommy Hanson seemingly ready to join a staff that’s been one of the National League’s best over the season’s first quarter.

Glavine returned to the Braves in 2008 after a stint with the New York Mets. His return season was cut short by injury, and he underwent minor elbow and shoulder surgeries during the offseason. He did not appear in a single game for the Braves this season.

Rosenthal has the salary figures for Glavine as the following:

Glavine was to be paid $1 million for his first day on the active roster, $1.25 million for 30 days on the roster and another $1.25 million for 90 days on the roster, bringing the total possible value of the deal to $4.5 million.

David O'Brien adds:

In a text message Wednesday night Glavine said: “I am surprised and disappointed. I’m ready to pitch.”

In a prepared statement general manager Frank Wren said: “We appreciate and respect everything Tom has done for and brought to the Atlanta Braves organization and our fans. His accomplishments for our club during his Hall of Fame career is a measure of his dedication that we will always respect and admire. We wish him nothing but the best.”

Here's coverage from our friends at Fox5 Atlanta and FOSG Buck Lanford

Glavine Sharp In Triple-A Start

((HT: AJC/Vivlamore))

Tom Glavine ((pictured, thanks Johnny Crawford/AJC)) proclaimed himself nearly ready to return to the major leagues — in word and deed.

Glavine threw five scoreless innings and earned his first minor-league win in 22 years for the Class AAA Gwinnett Braves Thursday in a rehab start against Indianapolis. He gave up six hits, striking out two and walking one. He left the game with a 7-0 lead and the G-Braves went on to win 11-6.

Glavine said he will pitch again Tuesday, either with the Atlanta club or in a final minor league rehab start. That game would come at Class A Rome against Augusta.

“I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I’m 100 percent thrilled with my location," said Glavine, who has been on the disabled list all season while recovering from shoulder and elbow surgeries last August. “I’m 100 percent thrilled with my stuff but not necessarily with my location. But, hey, I might throw a side session on Saturday or Sunday and say ‘Boom, there it is.’ We’ll play that by ear.”

Glavine said he expected to speak with the Braves about his plans by today.

“I’m going to pitch another [rehab game] Tuesday or I’m going to pitch in the big leagues Tuesday,” Glavine said. “I think part of that will be largely on how I feel about where I am and how I would feel about going in and pitching to a big league lineup right now. The other part is going to be how I feel. So far, I felt good during the course of the game and everything I’ve experienced after I go out there and throw has been pretty consistent.”

Glavine threw 67 pitches Thursday, 41 for strikes. He was consistently in the low-80s on the radar gun, but his fastball occasionally reached 86 mph. In his previous start last Saturday, he gave up three earned runs and five hits in a three innings also for Gwinnett, when he threw 56 pitches, 33 for strikes.

“I did a much better job of pitching than the other night,” Glavine said. “I felt like my location was a lot better.”

Glavine got out of two jams with double plays. In the third inning, he escaped a first-and-third, no-out situation with a foul-out and a tailor-made 6-4-3 double play. In the fifth, Indianapolis put runners at first and second with no outs after a double and a walk. Glavine induced a 5-4-3 double play and then ended his day by fielding a sharp come-backer.

“If I hadn’t got my glove up, it would have hit me in the mouth,” Glavine said.

The 43-year-old lefthander suffered a setback April 12 when he re-aggravated his shoulder swinging the bat in a rehab start for Class AA Mississippi. Thursday he took his first live at-bats since the injury. He had a two-strike sacrifice bunt in the second inning and looked at three straight strikes in the fourth.

“I’m not going to say I’m not concerned about [hitting], but it’s not like I’m going up there afraid to swing the bat,” Glavine said. “I’ve been swinging the bat at the ballpark, taking BP, and I haven’t had any problems… . I know at some point I’m going to have to swing the bat and I fully intend to do it but for right now, I’m more concerned with going out there and getting comfortable, building arm strength and those types of things. I don’t think they care too much about my hitting.”

Glavine was 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 Atlanta starts in 2008 before season-ending surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow and clean out wear-and-tear damage to the shoulder.

He had never been on the DL before last season.

The 305-game winner is working on a one-year, $1-million contract that includes up to $3.5 million in bonuses, including $1 million if he makes the active roster.

"Gwinnett" Glavine Struggles In Rehab Start

((HT: AJC/Jeff Schultz))

After extensive rehab and a setback or two, he was owned by the Toledo Mud Hens, which is not the way a legend wants to end it. He threw two shutout innings, then was tagged for an RBI triple and a two-run homer in the third, before exiting for an ice bag.

There was some good news. Glavine ((pictured, thanks Jason Getz/AJC)) had strength, just little control. On a lighter note, Clint Sammons’ three-run homer in the fourth got him off the hook. “That’s good — I won’t get my first minor-league loss in 20-something years,” he said.

He’s trying to keep it real. He’s encouraged but that’s it. He admitted before the game, “There’s some days it doesn’t feel great and I’m like, ‘You know, what are you doing this for?’ But I just think if I didn’t find out if I could do this, I’d be kicking myself. … Having had the surgery I had and putting in all the work, I just can’t find it in my heart to say no. I’ve got to find out.”

Eight-plus months of rehab will wear anybody down. Glavine has an acceptance level about retirement that wasn’t evident before.

“The way things have gone, I’m a little more open-minded to things happening,” he said. “I’m just in the mind-set of: I’m going to push it and try to go. If everything goes well and I can come back, great. If not, at least I tried.”

Tom Glavine's Next Step

((HT: AJC/Rogers))

Tom Glavine felt fine after three innings of a simulated game Monday and if his shoulder rebounds well, he will report for a minor league rehabilitation start Saturday in Class AAA Gwinnett.

If all continues to progress as it has, Glavine believes he would need only one more minor league outing five days later before he would be ready to make his comeback from elbow and shoulder surgery.

Monday marked the first time Glavine had faced live hitters since his setback on April 12, when he re-aggravated his shoulder swinging the bat in a rehabilitation start for Class AA Mississippi.

“When I threw bad pitches, being up or over the plate, they put good swings on them,” Glavine said. “When I got the ball down or on the corners, they didn’t take as good swings. That’s a good sign for me. It’s just a matter of being more consistent with that.”
The most pain Glavine experienced was from the line drive he took off his hip from hitter Greg Norton.

“If I was fast enough, I’d have run and caught that ball before it hit him,” Norton said. “As soon as I hit it, I was yelling ‘Heads up.’ I’m glad it hit him in the behind and not something that would fall off. At our age, we’ve got to watch out for impacts like that.”

Glavine said his shoulder feels better than it did in spring training.

“My spring training issues were in the back (of the shoulder) where they shaved my spur, on top where they did my bursa sac and in the front where I’ve always had problems and they didn’t do anything (surgically),” Glavine said. “Now it’s basically just in the front, where I (nicked) it off swinging the bat. The rest of the stuff is gone.”

Glavine has been taking batting practice but wasn’t sure if he’d take swings Saturday in Gwinnett. If he does, it will be with plenty of caution.

Glavine Throws First Side Session

((HT: David O'Brien/AJC))

Tom Glavine’s thoughts were on pitching again, not retirement, after a pain-free bullpen session Monday at Turner Field. It was his first time throwing off a mound in three weeks.

“I’m encouraged by it,” the 43-year-old left-hander said after about making 35-40 pitches in a 15-minute session, his first since shoulder pain forced him from a minor-league rehab start April 12.

“My biggest concern going out today was going through my windup and making pitches the way I wanted to, without feeling like I was cutting anything off [on arm extension] to try not to make it hurt. And I accomplished that,” Glavine added.

Baseball’s only active 300-game winner had elbow and shoulder surgeries last August 21 and has been on the disabled list since the season began. His scheduled mid-April return to the rotation was scrubbed by the setback, which he sustained while batting in what was to have been his last minor league start.

“My side session today was better than any of my side sessions in spring training, as far as how I felt and how crisp my pitches were,” said the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

Glavine thinks he could be ready to pitch five innings in a minor league game within two weeks, provided he has no problems recovering from Monday’s session or the subsequent steps in recovery. His next bullpen session is scheduled for Friday.

Dr. James Andrews examined him after the April 12 incident and prescribed two weeks of rest. Glavine indicated then that if he didn’t feel better after the rest period, he’d consider retirement.

He pushed those thoughts to the back burner Monday. Throwing with what he said was about 65-percent effort, he said his location was good and he did not alter his delivery to avoid any discomfort.

“I didn’t have as much arm strength today as I had at the end of spring training,” Glavine said. “How long that will take, I don’t know. But I don’t think it will take a long time.”

He plans to play catch and have a long-toss session in the outfield before his next bullpen session. If that all goes well, he could face hitters next week in simulated-game conditions.

Glavine said rather than pitch two or three innings in a minor league game next week to build arm strength, he’d prefer doing so against Braves hitters and wait to go back out on a rehab assignment when he is able to work four or five innings.

He was 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 starts in 2008 before season-ending to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow and clean out wear-and-tear damage to the shoulder. Glavine had never been on the DL before last season.

He signed a one-year, $1 million contract that includes up to $3.5 million in bonuses, including $1 million if he makes the active roster.

Someone suggested to him Monday that he might pitch again before John Smoltz, who’s attempting a comeback from shoulder surgery with the Boston Red Sox.

“I hope so,” Glavine said, smiling.
And that gives us an excuse to remind people that there's a Cy Young winner there...

Glavine Throwing Plan On Course

((HT: AJC/David O'Brien))

Tom Glavine did light throwing in the outfield Tuesday for the third consecutive day without discomfort in his surgically repaired pitching shoulder. The 43-year-old left-hander plans long-tossing sessions from about 100 feet Thursday and Saturday, and if that goes well he’ll test the shoulder with a side session on the bullpen mound Monday.

“Then we’ll go from there,” said Glavine

Carroll Rogers has the pre-toss strategy from Glavine...

Glavine said Monday he is still in some pain in his shoulder, but expects to have that even if he rests all season.

He wants to get back on the bullpen mound by the end of this homestand and then he’ll have a better idea of what he’s facing.

Glavine had said two weeks ago after a visit to Dr. James Andrews revealed shoulder inflammation that if his shoulder didn’t feel better after two weeks, he might be to the point of deciding to retire. He isn’t quite there yet.

“I’m less emotional than I was two weeks ago,” Glavine said. “I waited two weeks, and if this is it, at least I’m confronting that feeling and coming to grips with those feelings. I’m more willing to look at it matter-of-factly that it’s worth it to give it one more shot. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

Glavine Needs Two More Weeks

And then he gets evaluated all over again...

Carroll Rogers from the AJC has your first round of almost-answers...

The idea being, initially, that if rehab is too long or strenuous his career is probably over.

The diagnosis for Tom Glavine on Tuesday was that he has a strained rotator cuff and needs to take two weeks to rest before having another evaluation. As to what that really means for the 305-game winner and his future, that’s still fairly nebulous.

Glavine knew that if his surgeon Dr. James Andrews saw a tear in his rotator cuff on the MRI, the decision would be cut and dried: consider retirement. Since it wasn’t, Glavine, 43, is still in a holding pattern.

If he had to characterize how he was looking at things Tuesday afternoon, he said it was a glass half-empty.

“Right now, for me, the glass is probably half-empty, simply because I’m frustrated and tired with this whole rehab thing,” said Glavine, who was set to make his debut Saturday in Pittsburgh before he suffered this setback. “But at the same time, being as close as I am — or was — I’m not willing to just say ‘OK that’s it.’ I’m willing to put in a little bit more time.”

There’s a limit to that though. Glavine ((pictured, thanks allaroundphilly.com)) said if he’s not convinced in two weeks that he’s seeing improvement in his pain level or the strength in his shoulder, he’ll consider hanging it up.

“I’ll need to figure out how much more I want to go through with it,” he said.

If there’s no improvement, he likely would be looking at four to six more weeks of rest and rehabilitation and then he would have to start his pitching regimen over again. That would mean it could be after the All-Star break before he’s pitching.

“I’m not interested in a season-long rehab or ‘Let’s try this for a month or two,’ ” Glavine said. “I did that last year. I don’t want to do it myself, and I don’t want to do it to this team. It’s not fair to them.”

Glavine had signed a one-year contract in February to attempt a comeback from elbow and shoulder surgery. It was for $1 million guaranteed plus another $3.5 million in bonus money based on the length of time he’s on the active roster.

He had worked up to six innings and was pitching the final start of his minor-league rehabilitation when he felt pain in his shoulder swinging during his second at-bat in Class AA Mississippi on Sunday.

Glavine said he felt the same pain swinging some during spring training but that went away quickly. This time the pain lingered.

If this proves the end of the road, Glavine said he’s prepared.

“This thing has logged a lot of innings,” he said of his shoulder. “Sooner or later it’s going to tell me I can’t do this anymore. I hope this isn’t what it’s trying to tell me, but I’m prepared if it is.”

The Three Words Pitchers Hate

"Doctor James Andrews"

Tom Glavine heard those words again today after it was determined further examination was necessary on the left shoulder he injured during a rehab start at the Atlanta Braves Double-A affiliate in Pearl, Mississippi Sunday afternoon.

Glavine will be examined Tuesday in Birmingham at Andrews' offices.

Glavine said he experienced discomfort in the shoulder during his only at-bat in the game. He was scheduled for a 50-60 pitch outing, but pulled himself out of the game after two innings and only 36 pitches.

He has been scratched from his scheduled start for the Braves on Saturday. Jo Jo Reyes will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to take his place. Glavine had surgery on his left arm to repair damage to a torn flexor tendon in August of 2008.

More when we know more...

Glavine Suffers Shoulder Discomfort In Rehab Start

David O'Brien from the AJC has some not-so-good news on Tom Glavine's rehab start...

Tom Glavine felt discomfort in his pitching shoulder Sunday while batting during a rehabilitation start for Class AA Mississippi and left after two innings. The veteran pitcher said he felt it while swinging, not throwing.

“It was all from swinging, felt great before,” Glavine said in a text message.

The Braves said the 43-year-old left-hander would be evaluated after returning to Atlanta.

“I don’t know how bad it is, or if it’s serious at all,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said.

Glavine said he didn’t have a gut feeling about the severity, either. At the least, the setback could prevent him from making his planned season debut Saturday at Pittsburgh. He was charged with one run in two innings on three hits including a home run, with one walk and no strikeouts. He threw 26 strikes in 36 pitches.

Glavine, baseball’s only non-retired 300-game winner, is attempting a comeback after having season-ending surgeries September 21 to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow and clean out wear-and-tear damage to the left shoulder.

If he’s not ready to pitch Saturday — the first day the Braves would need a fifth starter — the team could turn to Buddy Carlyle or Jorge Campillo from the bullpen, or dip into the minors for a replacement such as left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes, Charlie Morton, or top prospect Tommy Hanson at Class AAA Gwinnett.

Hanson had 10 strikeouts in 4-1/3 scoreless innings in his Gwinnett debut Thursday, and would presumably have to skip his next scheduled turn in order to be rested to pitch Saturday. Hanson isn’t on the 40-man roster, while Reyes is.

Chuck Stinson has the highlights ((or lowlights)) from WLBT-TV...

Glavine Reaches Deal With Braves

((HT: AJC))

Veteran left-hander Tom Glavine will be back with the Braves after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract that includes a $1 million base salary and up to $3.5 million in incentives, according to two people familiar with the situation and the AJC's David O'Brien- positioned at Spring Training in Orlando.

Glavine will get $1 million guaranteed and a $1 million bonus if he makes the active roster. He isn’t expected to be on the opening day roster, as the Braves won’t need a fifth starter until April 19. He would get a $1.25 million bonus after 30 days on the roster, and another $1.25 million bonus after 60.

The deal is set to be completed Friday. Glavine, who turns 43 next month, agreed to defer most of the bonus money in order to leave some room in the Braves’ payroll should they decide to pursue another outfielder or look to fill another need later in the season.

Those of us at OSG HQ hope that David O'Brien doesn't do with Glavine what some of the roster thought he did with Ken Griffey, Junior- scare him off...

Somehow, we don't think that will happen...

Braves About To Land Griffey, Close In on Glavine

((HT: Ken Rosenthal- Fox Sports))

"The team made Glavine a counter-offer Monday that would bring the pitcher close to the $4.5 million potential value he is seeking on a one-year contract, according to a major-league source.

A deal likely will be finalized Tuesday — a day on which the Braves also could learn whether another potential Hall of Famer, free-agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., will choose their offer over the Mariners'.

Glavine, who turns 43 on March 25, would receive a $1 million guarantee, $1 million for making the Opening Day roster and two additional bonuses tied to the number of the days he is active, the source said.

The deal also would include deferrals, giving the Braves greater flexibility to add the left-handed hitting outfielder they are seeking."

This would make sense, because... according to the AJC...
((HT: Terence Moore, David O'Brien))
"The two teams made similar offers, believed to be in the range of $1.5-2 million guaranteed, with incentives tied to staying healthy and getting a high number of plate appearances.

Griffey, who lives in Orlando, is nearly a decade removed from his years as a Gold Glove center fielder — he won 10 of those fielding awards in a row in the ’90s — but is still at least a serviceable outfielder and a formidable hitter against right-handed pitching.

He’s expected to play primarily in left field for the Braves, probably in a platoon role right-handed hitter Matt Diaz, though Griffey could also play against some lefty pitchers.

He could also serve as a backup center fielder for the Braves, who only got 27 home runs from their outfield last season, the lowest total in the majors."

OSG sources at Braves Spring Training confirmed that negotiations were still ongoing between the two poarties this morning, and that nothing had been signed to any dotted line. And if there was anything official between Griffey and the Braves, that nothing would be along the lines of a dog-and-pony show until tomorrow.

More when we know more...