In the wake of all the injuries that have been plaguing the Braves pitching staff - John Smoltz out for the year (possibly forever) facing major shoulder surgery, Tom Glavine on the DL with elbow injury and Jair Jurrjens spraining an ankle Tuesday when he slipped on stairs at Wrigley Field - the Braves brought up Charlie Morton from Class AAA Richmond to start Saturday in Anaheim.

Morton faced 25 batters, tossed 101 pitches in 6 innings, gave up 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 4 strikeouts and only walked one batter. This kid has nerves of steel. Morton’s first MLB strikeout was delivered to the Los Angeles Angels third baseman and leadoff batter, Chone Figgins. Morton followed it up by strinking out Maicer Izturis, both of his first two strikeouts going the full 3-2 count and when the pressure was on Morton delivered and maintained his composure.

Morton is a 24 year old righty from Flemington, NJ and was a 3rd round by the Atlanta Braves in 2002. A draft in which included Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, and Chuck James.

I’m sure Braves fans everywhere are beginning to grow weary of the fact that any news related to starting pitcher Mike Hampton is news of yet another injury to the blue chip, high paid hurler who

Hampton, 2000’s NLCS Most Valuable Player, and the first pitcher ever to win a Rawlings Gold Glove and Louisville Silver Slugger award in the same season (2003), hasn’t pitched in a major league game since August 2005. Hampton is sitting on top of a $15,000,000 salary in 2008 with the Braves. The only other player on the team who is clearing that much per year is Chipper Jones but if there is a player on the Braves who is worth that much it’s Jones because of his consistency and overall performance.

Here’s the last week’s reports on Mike Hampton’s status according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mar. 13 : Hampton did not experience any problems while pitching a simulated game on Wednesday. He is expected to make his next scheduled start Monday against the Cardinals.

Mar. 12 : Hampton said Tuesday that he is ready to to pitch after waking up with no pain. He is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Thursday.

Mar. 11 : Hampton looked good during his bullpen session on Monday, but had a little tightness in his groin toward the end, reports the Augusta Chronicle. He is expected to throw in a simulated game on Wednesday rather than in the exhibition game against the Indians.

Mar. 10 : Hampton (groin) has been receiving therapy and is expected to make his scheduled start on Wednesday.

Mar. 9 : A day after leaving a spring training start with a strained right groin, Braves pitcher Mike Hampton said he doesn’t expect to miss his next start and plans to throw again Monday, according to published reports.

Mar. 7 : Mike Hampton of the Atlanta Braves left his spring training start Friday because of a strained right groin.