NEW YORK -- The Red Sox jersey of John Smoltz, shelled Thursday night by the Yankees, hung in a locker Friday at Yankee Stadium.But Smoltz was not there. He was designated for assignment by the Red Sox, possibly ending his likely Hall of Fame career.
"He worked extremely hard," Boston general manager Theo Epstein said. "The results just weren't there."
Smoltz was 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA in eight starts after he recovered from shoulder surgery. Opposing batters hit .343 off him, including a .444 mark by lefties.
"It got to a point where we thought we needed to make a change to help our team do better," manager Terry Francona said.
The Red Sox did not immediately release Smoltz but asked him to go home and ponder his future while the 10-day clock runs on the designation for assignment.
"He's certainly not a quitter," said Epstein, who traveled from Boston to give Smoltz the news in person. "But he's also a realist and understands that the results so far have not been what we're looking for."
Smoltz, 42, has a 212-152 career record and has also recorded 154 saves. He spent his first 20 seasons with the Braves before they decided not to bring him back and he jumped to the Red Sox.
Right-hander Junichi Tazawa, signed in December from the Japan Industrial League, was called up from Triple-A and may take Smoltz's spot in the rotation.
Also, lefty reliever Billy Traber was designated for assignment and utility infielder Chris Woodward was claimed off waivers from Seattle.
Tazawa, 23, has gone 0-2 with a 2.38 ERA in two Triple-A starts after going 9-5 with a 2.57 ERA at Double-A.
"He wouldn't be here if we didn't think he could handle it," Francona said.
That, and the Boston rotation is a mess after Josh Beckett and Jon Lester.
Paul Byrd, recently signed to a minor-league deal, is at least three weeks away from helping. And Tim Wakefield, on the disabled list because of a back issue, is now recovering from a sore calf. He threw two simulated innings Friday and will face hitters in a simulated game Monday."It's a challenging time for this team, no doubt about it," Epstein said.
"It's been surprising how quickly we've gone from quote-unquote the best starting-pitching depth in baseball to a challenging time for our rotation."
The Red Sox are 8-11 since the All-Star break and lead the wild-card race by just two games over Texas.
"Things will stabilize," Epstein said. "It's not going to stay like this, and we are going to get through it as an organization."
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Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Either ,Left, celebrates at home plate with his team mates after hitting a three run walk off home run to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 during a baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, in Los Angeles , Calif. (AP Photo/Pasadena Star-News Keith Birmingham)
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Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Either ,Left, celebrates at home plate with his team mates after hitting a three run walk off home run to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 during a baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, in Los Angeles , Calif. (AP Photo/Pasadena Star-News Keith Birmingham)
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Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Either (16) rounds first base after hitting a three run walk off home run to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 during a baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, in Los Angeles , Calif. (AP Photo/Pasadena Star-News Keith Birmingham)
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Andre Ethier, right, is mobbed by teammates after hitting a walk off three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Lori Shepler)
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Andre Ethier heads for home after hitting a walk off three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009. The Dodgers won 5-4. (AP Photo/Lori Shepler)
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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Lori Shepler)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-07-2009 @ 5:35PM
Geezer said...
Good riddance, he sucked this year! My one gripe is that they didn't do it earlier!
Reply
8-07-2009 @ 5:42PM
D said...
Bummer.
Nice try to come back but...
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8-07-2009 @ 5:47PM
Mark said...
I'd see if he'd be willing to come out of the bullpen. He pitched ok for 2 to 4 innings it seemed .
Reply
8-07-2009 @ 6:00PM
jpmarty9 said...
I hear BLUE JAYS have a pitcher they want to trade!!!
Reply
8-07-2009 @ 6:33PM
olehippi said...
Smoltz is yet another example of a once good player who didn't know when it was time to quit. We can't play kids games forever.
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8-07-2009 @ 6:39PM
luvnpackrs said...
Bring him to Milwaukee!!! What could it hurt right now!!!!!!!!!!!!
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8-07-2009 @ 7:37PM
claytor said...
Hey now, dont go hating on Smoltzy because he worked his rear end off to even get back to the majors from shoulder surgery.
I honestly believe he should look into closing again. Smoltz in short bursts would ease the workload on his shoulder, and perhaps help him become effective again. Maybe not the Smoltz weve all come to know, but finishing your career with 200 wins and 200 saves is pretty rarified air, his stats would closely resemble the Eck, who happens to be a HoFer.
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8-07-2009 @ 7:58PM
wogiewus said...
Smolts is like so many other players not wanting to give it up. Father time has caught up with him. Say good night John and disappear into the night. With a win loss record of 212-152 and 152 saves I see him at best marginal hall of fame but today every one makes it.
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8-07-2009 @ 11:18PM
Sonic said...
Marginal at best? He is the only player to win 200 games and make 150+ saves. Considering that there probably won't be another player who makes it to 300 wins in this era (and a handful that make it to 200), I'd say its HoF worthy.
8-07-2009 @ 8:05PM
drobbobd said...
Thanks for the memories !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bob
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8-07-2009 @ 8:55PM
Rich said...
John Smoltz is one of the classiest ballplayers EVER if anybody ever met him you know what a class act he was. Good luck John and you are a no doubter for the HOF.
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8-07-2009 @ 8:48PM
Jeff said...
All I can say is "Good luck John!" So it didn't work out here in Boston. Wish they gave him a chance out of the 'pen first.
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8-07-2009 @ 9:06PM
acr4845755 said...
His career is like Moe Lauzier from ( sorta) Boston radio. Both never knew when to say when and in the end they both got there walking papers. Both will show up every now and then cause there is no one else to put on the "show". But after a couple of minutes, the show will suck. Sorry John
Reply
8-09-2009 @ 10:44PM
cwmudville said...
Moe is a better person than you are maybe you should know when to say when at least John and Moe have done and do what they love.Find something better to do with your life.
8-07-2009 @ 9:34PM
NITWIT!!! said...
When the Braves say goodbye to a veteran pitcher, usually it's LIGHTS OUT!
I haven't seen Tommy Glavine signed by anyone. Perhaps the other MLB teams were waiting to see how Smoltz worked out with the Sox.
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8-07-2009 @ 9:59PM
Master said...
now we can watch him take on tiger on the golf course.
Reply
8-08-2009 @ 12:44AM
orangeandwhite said...
I hope to see #29 back in atl..it wouldnt hurt. our bullpen is ridicoulous and so is frank wren! kelly johnson is garbage too! anyways maybe one day the braves will return to winning.
Reply
8-08-2009 @ 5:21AM
highersource420 said...
Another steroid bum. All pro sports are ruined!! Go outside and enjoy your life. No reason to sit and watch sports or sit in bars. I turned the TV off in 1990 when I turned 28 and have never looked back. What a ride!! Peace
Reply
8-08-2009 @ 6:29AM
Clarence Cameron said...
YES, THANKYOU.
YOU GAVE A TEAM IN JAPAN 50 MILLION FOR A TERRIBLE PITCHER, HE WILL NEVER RETURN. GIVE TORONTO 50 MILLION AND A HUGE CONTRACT TO HOLLYDAY. MONEY TALKS AND THE RED SOX HAS PLENTY WITH COMPLETE SELLOUTS.PLEASE GO BUY A GOOD PITCHER, NOT SOME BUN. THANKS PAPACAM
Reply
8-08-2009 @ 6:37AM
Clarence Cameron said...
PAPACAM SAYS, GO GET THE MARLINS SHORTSTOP, BUY OUT HIS CONTRACT, PLEASE DO SOMETHING. LUGO LOOKS GOOD NOW.
Reply