“They were very happy arthritic changes did not exist,” Smoltz said. “That was one of the unknowns. If you have arthritic changes, that can cause some long-term problems, so they were very excited about that.

“Every issue (Andrews) described to me, whether it was the labrum, AC joint, the biceps, he feels like he’s addressed them all and fixed them. Now it will be up to the healing process and to re-engage my shoulder. I’m a very loose-jointed kind of flexible guy who will have to get used to a tightened-up shoulder a little bit and give it time to heal.”

Smoltz was on the disabled list with a sore shoulder to open the season. After a second trip to the disabled list, he tried to return as a closer, but one rocky and painful inning pitched in relief convinced him he needed the season-ending surgery.

“I’m going to be very aggressive with my rehab and that will allow me to know within a good time frame where I’m going to be,” he said.

“I’ve got targets in mind and when I reach those targets I’ll be able to determine how far I have to go and certainly if pitching again at a high level will be possible.”

Smoltz missed the entire 2000 season after Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. He switched to the bullpen midway through the 2001 season and had 154 saves during his three-plus seasons as Atlanta’s closer, including an NL-record 55 in 2002.

Smoltz then surprised observers again by switching back to a starter’s role.

Since the 2000 surgery, he is 53-34 with a 3.04 ERA and 154 saves, with his ERA under 3.50 each season.

Overall, Smoltz has 210 wins. On April 22, he became the 16th pitcher in major league history to reach 3,000 strikeouts.

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