Smoltz bothered by stiff shoulder

ATLANTA - Frustrated by stiffness in his right shoulder, Braves pitcher John Smoltz said Saturday he would like to rest before the playoffs if the team clinches the NL East title before his next scheduled start Wednesday.

Smoltz, 38, said he has been bothered by the shoulder for a few starts. Smoltz gave up eight hits and three runs in six innings Friday night after pushing back his scheduled start two days due to the shoulder. He did not receive a decision in Atlanta's 4-3 win over Florida.

"I don't think it's real serious, but it just comes at an awkward time," Smoltz said.

Braves manager Bobby Cox acknowledged Smoltz "wasn't 100 percent, that's for sure," in Friday's start. "But it was a great performance," Cox said.

"It's not like he was hit," Cox said. "His velocity was fine. His breaking ball was fine. His location wasn't fine."

Smoltz said his shoulder bothered him more when he gave up only three hits and two earned runs in seven innings against Washington on Sept. 11, when he did not receive the decision in a Braves win.

Smoltz has a history of elbow problems which made some view his return to the starting rotation a gamble after several years as the team's closer. Smoltz said he can't explain the shoulder stiffness.

"It really has been disappointing because it has come as a surprise," he said. "It's not like I can attribute it to one thing. I just grind and let the rest take care of itself."

Because the Braves are off Thursday, it's possible that even if they haven't clinched the division by Wednesday, Cox could push back Smoltz's scheduled start Wednesday against Colorado to Friday at Florida to again give the right-hander extra rest between starts.

If the Braves have to fight to the end of the season for a playoff spot, however, Smoltz may have to stick to his normal pitching schedule.

"I'm gonna wait and see how we do," he said. "I've learned not to give in to the emotion of today, the discouragement or the happiness.

"There's good days and there's bad days. I'm geared toward thinking down the road, not today or tomorrow. There's a bunch of what-ifs. If we win the next three or four days, it's all a moot point."

Smoltz is 14-7 with a 3.06 ERA, leading the team in wins and innings (222 2-3).

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MINOR LEAGUE STARS ON DISPLAY: The Braves' pitcher and player of the year from each of the organization's minor league teams were honored before the game. Two pitchers of the year - Kyle Davies of Triple A Richmond and Chuck James of Double A Mississippi - already are on the major league roster.

Richmond's player of the year was infielder James Jurries, who hit.284 with 21 homers and 72 RBIs.

The winners for Class A Myrtle Beach were pitcher Brady Endl, who was 6-7 with a 3.39 ERA, and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who hit.314 with 19 homers and 81 RBIs. The picks for Class A Rome were pitcher Matt Harrison (12-7, 3.23 ERA) and catcher Clint Sammons (.286, 4 homers, 62 RBIs) of Stone Mountain and the University of Georgia.

For rookie league Danville, pitcher Jairo Cuevas (6-1, 1.95) and infielder Eric Campbell (.313, 18 homers, 64 RBIs) were honored.

Other minor league players honored from the Gulf Coast League and Dominican summer league teams were pitchers Beau Jones, Edgar Osuna and Carlos Sencion, infielders Elvis Andrus and Tony De La Cruz and outfielder Concepcion Rodriguez.

The minor leaguers, all wearing suits, spent the afternoon in the Braves clubhouse, many posing for pictures with Atlanta players.

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WORTH NOTING: Mike Lowell started at second base for the second straight game Saturday as Luis Castillo again was held out of the lineup with a tight right hamstring. Miguel Cabrera again started at third base - Lowell's normal position at the start of the year. Before Friday night, Lowell's first 945 appearances in the field had all been at third base.... Cox said Marlins closer Todd Jones would be his pick as comeback player of the year. "He's the guy they go to," Cox said.... Asked if setup reliever Antonio Alfonseca is healthy, Marlins manager Jack McKeon said "I don't know. He says he's all right but he didn't look like it (Friday) night. That's why I had to go get him." Alfonseca gave up hits to both batters he faced to open the eighth inning Friday night."