Another injury sidelines Mike Hampton

ATLANTA, March 8 (UPI) -- Injury-plagued pitcher Mike Hampton of Atlanta will miss at least another two months because of an oblique muscle strain on his left side.

"For something like this to happen, it's pretty much like getting sand kicked in your face," Hampton said on the team's Web site. "It is what it is. I've just got to do everything that I can to get back healthy. You never want to be labeled as one of those injury-prone guys. Trying to get over being upset is the toughest part, because I was ready to go. I don't know how long these things take to recover, but I hope it's not long."

The 34-year-old left-hander has not been healthy since May of 2005, when he began feeling discomfort that led to reconstructive Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.

He has not made a start in full health since May 14, 2005 at Los Angeles.