One year and four days after his Tommy John surgery, Mike Hampton was back on the mound Saturday, throwing to batters for the first time.
The test was graded ``excellent'' by Braves manager Bobby Cox, who already has Hampton listed in his early 2007 rotation as the left-hander returns from the reconstructive elbow surgery.
Cox stood behind the batting cage to watch as Hampton threw about 25 pitches.
The 34-year-old Hampton said he plans to test his left elbow again by pitching in Instructional League games in Florida next week, assuming he has no setback following Saturday's work.
Hampton also had knee surgery while sitting out the 2006 season.
``My body is healthier, my legs are a lot stronger,'' he said of his year away from baseball. ``There's a lot of good that can come out of it.''
Hampton said it is too early to know if he'll be ready for a full workload in 2007.
``The biggest thing is to be honest with myself about my body and don't try to be a hero,'' Hampton said.
Cox said Hampton ``threw good, real good'' and added ``I'd have to give him an excellent.''
Hampton, Chuck James and Horacio Ramirez could give Atlanta three left-handed starters next season.
