John Thomson (baseball) - Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves

Thomson was again granted free agency in October 2003 and signed a two-year contract (including a club option for a third year) with the Atlanta Braves December 9. He had his best season as a major leaguer in 2004, posting a career-high 14 wins against only eight losses and a career-best 3.72 ERA. He carried this success over into 2005, going 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA over his first eight starts before a finger injury landed him on the DL May 17. He returned to the Braves August 13, but was unable to consistently regain his early season form and finished 2005 with a 4-6 record and a 4.47 ERA.

In spite of Thomson's injury troubles in 2005, the Braves exercised their option to bring him back for a third season in 2006. He struggled to a 2-6 record and a 4.68 ERA over his first 13 starts and went on the DL with a finger blister following his June 14 start against the Florida Marlins. He returned for two ineffective starts in July and was placed back on the DL—for the seventh time in his career—July 14 with shoulder stiffness. An MRI eventually revealed some fraying of his labrum and he made only one more appearance for the Braves, pitching an inning of relief September 27.