Kawakami To Skip Start With Shoulder Soreness
By Staff
Add another concern to the suddenly growing list of worries for Braves pitcher Kenshin Kawakami.
Manager Bobby Cox has decided to give the right-hander three additional days to rest his sore shoulder that has developed fatigue. Kawakami (1-3, 7.06 ERA) was scheduled to start Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros, but will instead take the mound in Tuesday’s matchup with the New York Mets.
Kawakami, who inked a three-year, $23 million contract with Atlanta in January, has already experienced fatigue in his right shoulder during Spring Training when he missed five days and has been bothered by pain in his “right A/C joint” in his last two starts.
Among other things, the Japanese-import has also been criticized of late for his less-than-stellar control. Known widely for his pinpoint accuracy in Japan, Kawakami allowed eight runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings to the Reds in his last start this past Sunday.
With Kawakami out for the weekend series, the rotation for the three-game set with the Astros will feature Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens and Jo-Jo Reyes.