NEW YORK — John Smoltz is embarking on a career as an analyst for Turner Broadcasting and the MLB Network, although he’s not quite ready to say he’s thrown his final major league pitch.
“I know the question comes up: Does that mean you retired?” the 42-year-old Smoltz said Tuesday. “. . . At this point I’m not officially prepared to say I’m done. But that may not mean anything to the degree that makes me play either.”
Smoltz had right shoulder surgery and missed more than a year before Boston activated him last June. He went 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in eight starts, and the Red Sox released him in August. He then signed with St. Louis and was 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA in seven starts. Smoltz, who turns 43 on May 15, has 213 wins and 154 saves.
Prospect has brain surgery.
Highly regarded Red Sox minor-league prospect Ryan Westmoreland underwent surgery in Arizona to remove a cavernous malformation in his brain.
The Red Sox said Westmoreland remains in the intensive care unit “but has come through the surgery well.” It added that because of the complexity of the surgery, the 19-year-old outfielder will “face a difficult period initially before beginning his recovery.”
Footnotes.
Dodgers reliever Cory Wade is scheduled to have surgery today on his right shoulder and is expected to miss at least three months.
• White Sox outfielder Jared Mitchell will miss the season after surgery on his left ankle.
• Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn is day to day because of a spasm in his lower back. The Associated Press
