Smoltz out until after All-Star break

 

ATLANTA (AP) -The Atlanta Braves say the results of an examination on John Smoltz’s sore right shoulder may not be known until Monday.
Smoltz left the team in Los Angeles on Wednesday to return to Atlanta for a Friday meeting with Braves doctors about persistent discomfort in the shoulder.
He will miss Tuesday’s All-Star game in San Francisco as well as Saturday’s scheduled start at San Diego. On Thursday, Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt (7-5, 3.52 ERA) was named to replace Smoltz on the NL All-Star team.
The 40-year-old Smoltz, who has lost three of five starts since tweaking his shoulder May 29, will use the All-Star break to get treatment and rest.
“We won’t hear anything until at least (Friday) evening and probably not until Monday,” Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said.
Smoltz (9-5, 3.07 ERA) got the decision in an 8-2 loss to the Dodgers on Monday night after giving up three runs and seven hits over six innings, striking out six. He said he plans to return to the rotation for a start on July 17 – giving him 12 days between starts.
Braves manager Bobby Cox said he doesn’t plan to put Smoltz on the disabled list.
“I think he’s going to be fine,” Cox said. “He should be fine at the tail end of the rotation after the All-Star break.”