boozerc2003

With the wave of emotions he's felt over the past two weeks, Mike Hampton has experienced more ups and downs than he might have while riding a nearby roller coasters at one of Walt Disney World's theme parks.

Fortunately for the Braves, it appears Hampton's emotional ride is currently on an upswing. In fact, if all goes well during his bullpen session on Tuesday, he could make his first Grapefruit League appearance later this week.

Hampton's latest sense of optimism is a product of the encouraging bullpen session that he completed on Saturday at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex. Two days earlier, he was so discouraged that he didn't know if he'd be able to come back from the Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery that he underwent in September 2005.

"If I can come out this next 'pen, like I came out of this [last] one, I should be able to try to sneak an inning in or so," said Hampton, who is hoping to make his first appearance of the spring on Friday or Saturday.

Based on how Hampton feels after Tuesday's session, Braves manager Bobby Cox will determine whether to pitch him in Bradenton, Fla., on Friday or at home against the Mets on Saturday. Cox's only hope is to that the veteran left-hander reaches the point that he's capable of completing five innings in his first regular-season start.

Even if Hampton were to throw just one inning on Friday or Saturday, there's still a chance he'd be stretched out enough for the start of the regular season. He'd still have a chance to make four more exhibition appearances, during which he would have a chance to build his endurance to the point that he could throw five innings.

"It's going to be game speed," Hampton said of his first exhibition appearance. "Nothing simulates it like actually being there, so that first game is really going to be a test. I've really got to do my best to pitch at a 90-percent level, until I can give a little extra."

Patience has never been a virtue for Hampton. But he's quickly learned that it's a must for all pitchers coming back from the elbow ligament replacement surgery. Before Saturday, there had been three different occasions over the past two weeks in which he seemed completely discouraged.

"It's something I'll have to continue to battle," Hampton said. "But I'm optimistic. ... At least [Saturday] put me in a better state of mind." For Hampton's Stats: The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: Stats: Individual Player StatsThe Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Atlanta Braves News.......Since I posted this Hampton Got Hurt, He Pulled a muscle in his side thats going to keep him out for about 8 weeks.So It looks as though he isn't going to return as we all thought.