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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Smoltz To Start Year On Aa Club’s Roster

Associated Press

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, recovering from elbow surgery, will open the season with the Braves’ Class AA farm team here on Thursday.

Smoltz will pitch in the Greenville Braves’ opener against Chattanooga and is expected to make two or three minor league starts before returning to Atlanta’s roster, the Greenville Braves said.

The 1996 N.L. Cy Young Award winner underwent surgery in December and had three starts for Atlanta during spring training, throwing three shutout innings in his last outing.

Smoltz was 15-12 in 1997 with a 3.02 ERA and 241 strikeouts.