Glavine Close to Returning

Good news on an injury front, Tom Glavine had a great outing for Myrtle Beach on Monday night:

Reports on Tom Glavine were all good after the veteran lefty pitched four solid innings Monday in an injury-rehab start for Class A Myrtle Beach, his first minor-league appearance in 22 years.

Braves manager Bobby Cox said Glavine would more rehab start Saturday for Class AA Mississippi "to build endurance." Provided that goes well, he would activated from the disabled list and rejoin the Braves' rotation next week.

Glavine, 42, has been out eight weeks recovering from a partially torn flexor tendon near his left elbow. He threw 53 pitches and reported no pain Tuesday while allowing three hits and one run with one walk and four strikeouts.

Glavine struck out four, walked one, and allowed three hits and one run in four innings. At this point Glavine's return is purely nostalgic, but he would be a better option in the rotation than Chuck James, so hurry back Tom.

Tom Glavine's next start will again be in the minor leagues, this time for the Mississippi Braves this Saturday night at Trustmark Park in Pearl. Maybe the Braves are trying to boost minor league attendance numbers by having all their stars make the rounds to each minor league city.