May 25, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Veteran Atlanta right-hander John Smoltz says
he might be able to make his next scheduled start -- if the
swelling in his dislocated pinky finger goes down.
Smoltz -- who turned 40 today -- hurt his pitching hand while
making a tag last night in the bottom of the seventh inning.
X-rays were negative, however. Smoltz's next start would be at
Boston this weekend.
With one out, Smoltz tagged out Austin Kearns in a rundown after
Kearns was caught off third base on a failed suicide squeeze bunt
attempt by former Brave Ryan Langerhans. Kearns was running toward
home plate and was about 20 feet away from it when Smoltz tagged
him.
Immediately after applying the tag at chest level, Smoltz fell
to the ground in pain. He then got up, looked at his hand and
slammed his glove to the ground in frustration. He left the field
after being examined by trainer Jeff Porter.
