While teammate Tom Glavine appears to be in line for his 3rd win of 2008, as the Braves lead the Marlins, 4-2 thru 6 innings this afternoon, John Smoltz’ pitching future is in serious doubt writes the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Ken Seguira.

John Smoltz acknowledged that his 20-year career might be over at a press conference Wednesday at Turner Field before the team’s game against the Marlins.

Dr. James Andrews will see Smoltz next Tuesday in Birmingham to examine his painful right shoulder. While Smoltz said that his rotator cuff is sound, he isn’t sure what else Andrews might find.

It’s possible that Smoltz can rehabilitate his shoulder and continue pitching. It’s also possible that his shoulder is injured enough to bring his career to a close.

“I think from what I’ve been told, they’re going to know right away (if the injury is career-ending),” said Smoltz, who passed the 3,000-strikeout mark for his career earlier this season. “They’ll know when they get in there. I’m sure it’ll be the first thing I ask when I wake up: ‘What did you find?’ “

Smoltz was comfortable with the possibility that his career, which ranks among the most productive in major-league history and will undoubtedly be validated with a Hall of Fame induction, is over.

“I’m confident that once they do what they’ve got to do (in surgery), I’ll deal with the results however they are,” he said. “Athletic ability and ability to do things are only one facet of what I believe the good Lord has in store for me.”

Said general manager Frank Wren, “This is a sad day for us in a lot of ways because we don’t know the outcome of the surgery. … We don’t know if it will allow him to pitch or whether it will just allow him to go on with his life.”

Without wishing Smoltz any ill-will, after having watched him battle the Mets for so many years, I do believe the time is right for him to fully devote himself to researching the similarities between same sex marriage and bestiality. It’s gotta be a full-time job.