ATLANTA -- A small abrasion on John Rocker's left thumb is still bothering the Atlanta Braves' struggling closer.

Rocker has 11 saves in 12 chances, but the hard-throwing left-hander has a 5.85 ERA and has walked 30 walks in 20 innings.

He first noticed the small split on the left side of his thumbnail in February, describing it as "the kind of thing you get in the winter time."

Since then, every time Rocker has gotten loose in the bullpen, the split has opened up. He has tried using Super Glue, which often helps pitchers in similar predicaments.

Asked if it hurts, Rocker said, "What do you think? Just look at it. It's never healed."

Rocker declined to discuss recent comments he made in Baseball Weekly regarding his plans to ride the subway when the Braves visit the New York Mets for a four-game series beginning Thursday.

The 25-year-old has been the subject of controversy since December, when Sports Illustrated published disparaging remarks he made regarding several minority groups and his own teammates.

After serving a 14-day suspension, he returned to the Braves on April 18. After pitching badly and confronting the reporter who wrote the SI article, he was sent to the minors, then recalled June 14.

In his last outing, Rocker gave up five runs, four walks and one hit in only one-third of an inning Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs.