41 year old John Smoltz has been one of the best pitchers over the past decade and a half, but years of hard throwing have apparently taken their toll on his pitching shoulder. Smoltz has attempted to compensate by experimenting with different throwing motions and pitching in different roles.

However, after a blown save against the Florida Marlins Monday night, Smoltz and team doctors decided to shut him down for the season in hopes that he may be able to return for the 2009 campaign. While Smoltz has already overcome four major surgeries during his career, returning from intense shoulder surgery at the age of 41 may be too much.