John Smoltz Suffers Slight Setback

The picture (right) of John Smoltz in a non-Braves jersey looks awfully weird, but we still haven't seen it in a regular season game. The wait will continue, because he's having some small issues in his surgically repaired right shoulder, and he will be shut down completely for a week.

It's not like the Red Sox are starved for help right now, considering they've won 12 of their last 13 games, but they have had some starting rotation holes. Daisuke Matsuzaka is on the disabled list and Brad Penny has had two awful outings. Fortunately, this setback isn't serious, according to Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

"I would say it's about a week of just kind of slowing down a little bit," Francona said. "I guess we probably thought all along that this was a possibility. I think it's in his best interests to slow it down for a week. I know that's not real great medical terminology, but it's the best way I can put it."

Smoltz's target date for returning was originally June 1. The Red Sox didn't rule it out or reinforce it.