Atlanta hurler accepts his fate

NEW YORK - Retirement never crossed Mike Hampton's mind this week. But the rough road of rehab ahead certainly has, the Atlanta starter said Friday afternoon at Shea Stadium.

Hampton will undergo Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in the next couple of weeks to repair a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament.

The left-hander said he's already resigned to the fact that his 2006 will be spent watching the team that's paying him. His target date to return, he said, is spring training 2007.

Hampton is under contract with the Braves through 2008. A large portion of his $13.5 million salary next year, however, will likely be covered by the team's insurance policy.

"It's going to be tough to sit out a year and watch," Hampton said. "This year's been tough enough. To do it another 18 months, it's going to be a battle."

Hampton expressed the desire to ensure his left knee, surgically repaired last off-season, was healthy.

He said he might have an MRI sometime next year, opening the door to more surgery on the area.

"When I come back, I just want to worry about my control and pitches, nothing else," he said.

"Hopefully, when it's all done, I can say when it's time to quit instead of my body."

Hampton had four trips to the disabled list this year for forearm tightness that was later linked to the elbow and a herniated disc in his back.

He went 5-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 12 starts this season. However, after a complete-game shutout of Houston on May 8, Hampton was 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA.

And that's when the season of unfulfilled optimism and frustrating injuries was unleashed.

Following the shutout, he left his start in Los Angeles after two innings, with tightness in his left forearm.

Then the vicious cycle began, rehabbing fruitlessly for unsuccessful comeback attempts.

"It's just been a roller coaster," Hampton said.

"It's been pretty tough to deal with," he said. "It doesn't get easier from here, but at least I know that there's a chance to get back healthy."

REST FOR FOSTER: Atlanta's John Foster said his sore left elbow started bothering him just before the Braves left for their current 10-game road trip.

He tried to pitch through the pain in two outings in Washington, and it became too much after an appearance in Philadelphia.

Foster described the post-pitching pain as throbbing.

The Braves' doctors recommended Foster rest for a few days before an evaluation. The team purchased the contract of minor-leaguer Chuck James on Thursday for left-handed relief backup.