NEW YORK -- Given there weren't any injuries, Mike Hampton's initial Minor League rehab start was certainly a success. But the Braves have even more reason to be encouraged by the fact that the 35-year-old southpaw also showed no signs of rust.

Hampton surrendered three hits and completed three scoreless innings while throwing 50 pitches for Triple-A Richmond against Norfolk on Friday night. It was the first of what might be two rehab starts for the oft-injured hurler, who hasn't started a Major League game since Aug. 19, 2005.

Braves manager Bobby Cox and the team's medical staff will evaluate Hampton when he joins them on Saturday at Shea Stadium. He will remain with them over the next few days, and during that time, it will be determined when and if he'll make another rehab start.

Hampton, who has missed the past two seasons while rehabbing separate surgical procedures on his left elbow, was scheduled to make his season debut on April 3. But approximately 10 minutes before throwing his first pitch, he strained his left pectoral muscle.

Having also dealt with a hamstring strain and a sore right groin over the course of the past five months, Hampton admitted earlier this week that he has to regain the confidence that he can pitch without suffering an injury.