Tom Glavine: Will He Play Again?

Tom Glavine may retire if his sore left shoulder doesn't improve in two weeks. The 43-year-old had an MRI and was examined by Dr. James Andrews, who advised treatment and rest.

Glavine had elbow surgery last August and said he's tired of rehabbing the elbow and shoulder. He's willing to give the shoulder two weeks, but not much longer,
"I'm willing to put in a little more time but I'm not willing to put in another six weeks or eight weeks because by then, you know what, I'm going to have to start all over again and I'm not interested in doing that," he said.

Glavine played two innings for Double-A Mississippi and ended Sunday's minor league start due to soreness after swinging a bat. He had similar pain in spring training, but he said that pain didn't last and this time it did.

Glavine’s doctor appointment left him with a two-week timetable that may determine if he continues his career. Glavine stated that “if we see some progress, then good. We’ll know we’re going in the right direction. If we don’t, then I think maybe at that point we need to sit down and honestly think about how much more I want to go through, and whether anything is going to change.”

The Braves said they are positive about the outcome and “were happy that is wasn’t more serious. The MRI didn’t show a tear and Bobby Cox responded by saying “I think its good it happened swinging the bat instead of throwing the ball, it’s kind of a disappointment for me, but I think the good news is he's coming back.”

Tom’s thoughts on coming back? Well they were less positive:
"I think all of it is going to be based on how I progress pain-wise," he said. "If I'm seeing a definitive change in the amount of pain that I have and the amount of strength I'm being able to gain, then I think I continue on. If two weeks from now my pain has not changed and my strength isn't any better, then I think I'm more clearly in a position where I need to honestly sit down and figure out how much more I want to go through with this."
He said if his shoulder doesn't feel better in two weeks, he'd have difficulty being ready to pitch before the All-Star break. "I don't think it's fair to this team and I'm not sure I have the desire to do all that for maybe half a season," Glavine said.

One option that may come up once we see Glavine’s progress, could be a trade to an AL team, were batting won’t be an issue. As long as Glavine can throw the ball there is a chance he can continue to play. Hurting these chances though, are his age and he only signed a one year deal for 2009. Was he thinking retirement after this season anyway?

The Braves have currently called up JoJo Reyes to replace Glavine in the 5 spot.