Hampton will have arm surgery

ATLANTA -- Mike Hampton will have surgery on his left elbow on Tuesday in New York, leaving the Atlanta Braves without one of their starting pitchers for the second straight season.

Hampton, who had elbow ligament-replacement surgery performed by Dr. Dave Altchek on Sept. 26, 2005, will have a torn tendon in the elbow repaired by Altchek today. He is expected to be held out of pitching activities for at least six months.

Hampton, 34, has failed to meet expectations since signing a $121 million, eight-year contract with Colorado before the 2001 season.

Hampton is 53-48 since agreeing to the big contract with Colorado. He is owed $14.5 million this year and $15 million in 2008.

His best season was in 1999, when he went 22-4 with the Houston Astros.

-- AP