PHILADELPHIA - The season is in all likelihood over for Atlanta left-hander Mike Hampton after a series of irritating injuries that have proved too hard to overcome.
Hampton felt tightness in his forearm again Monday and had to shut down a throwing session after just five or six pitches.
The Braves' ace has been able to make only 12 starts this season because of the forearm, and additional nagging injuries to his knee and back.
Hampton was activated Sunday, with the possibility that he might be able to pitch out of the bullpen. He threw a side session over the weekend in Washington and sat with the relievers in the pen Sunday.
Monday, he threw at Citizens Bank Park and experienced a tightening knot in his arm that caused him to stop throwing and set up an appointment for today with Mets team physician, Dr. David Altchek.
Hampton said he's prepared for bad news, perhaps that the forearm tightness is related to elbow pain that would require Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.
Hampton has resigned himself that his season is done.
"I can't see myself getting back this year," said Hampton, 5-3 with a 3.50 ERA. "Mentally and physically, I'm just spent right now. I don't see any good things coming out of my doctor's appointment, really."
Hampton originally went on the DL on May 14 after leaving a game against Los Angeles in the second inning.
During that rehab stint, and before a couple of unsuccessful attempts to return, he visited with renowned sports physician Dr. James Andrews, who examined Hampton's MRI exam results.
Andrews and Braves head physician, Dr. Joe Chandler, prepared Hampton for the possibility that the injury could cost him the remainder of the season.
Reach Travis Haney at travis.haney@morris.com.
HEALING
An MRI exam on Johnny Damon's left shoulder Tuesday showed no structural damage. Damon, who didn't play in Boston's 6-5 win in 11 innings over Toronto on Monday night, has been playing with discomfort since injuring the shoulder on a slide against Baltimore on Sept. 4. Boston manager Terry Francona said Damon will remain in Boston for treatment while the Red Sox finish their Toronto road trip.
MILESTONE
Carlos Delgado homered in Florida's 4-2 win over Houston on Tuesday to become the ninth player to hit 30 homers in nine straight seasons.
LEAVING
Indians reliever Arthur Rhodes will miss the rest of the season because of a family illness. Rhodes has helped Cleveland's bullpen become one of the majors' stingiest with major league-leading 2.88 ERA one season after it was one of baseball's worst. Rhodes went 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 47 appearances.
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