The Braves made it through spring training without catastrophic injury and without major disappointment in the performance of most of their players. It will be important to have a strong bullpen so the innings turned in by veterans LHP Tom Glavine and RHP John Smoltz are not wasted.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Tim Hudson

2. LHP Tom Glavine

3. RHP Jair Jurrjens

4. LHP Mike Hampton

5. RHP John Smoltz

Jurrjens has been the most impressive pitcher of the spring, dislodging more than one pitcher from last year's rotation: RHP Buddy Carlyle is likely to find himself in the bullpen, and LHP Chuck James expects to start the season at Class AAA Richmond, unless RHP John Smoltz begins the season on the 15-day disabled list to give him time to work out the knot between his right shoulder and neck.

BULLPEN:

RHP Rafael Soriano (closer)

RHP Peter Moylan

RHP Manny Acosta

RHP Blaine Boyer

RHP Buddy Carlyle or RHP Jeff Bennett

RHP Chris Resop or RHP Tyler Yates

LHP Will Ohman

Manager Bobby Cox doesn't care about the number of left-handers he has in the bullpen; he'd just as soon have right-handers who can get out both left- and right-handed batters. Carlyle and Bennett are the long-relief/spot-starter candidates. Carlyle is out of options; Bennett is not. If Cox decides to put both Smoltz or Hampton on the disabled list to start the season -- to give each an extra week -- that's two extra spots and more opportunities to evaluate the next tier of pitchers.

LINEUP:

1. 2B Kelly Johnson

2. SS Yunel Escobar

3. 3B Chipper Jones

4. 1B Mark Teixeira

5. C Brian McCann

6. RF Jeff Francoeur

7. LF Matt Diaz

8. CF Mark Kotsay

On second thought ... manager Bobby Cox was saying in February that he wanted to try his center fielders and 2B Kelly Johnson in different spots in the batting order. In the end, though, Cox kept Johnson in the leadoff position, where he spent all of 2007, except for the days Cox tinkered with the lineup trying to get former CF Andruw Jones and 1B Scott Thorman going at the plate.

RESERVES:

OF Josh Anderson or OF Gregor Blanco

INF Martin Prado

INF Brent Lillibridge

INF Scott Thorman

C Brayan Pena or C Corky Miller

Who wins the backup catcher's position is a contest that may not be decided until the last possible moment. Pena is a switch hitter and is out of options. C Clint Sammons is the best catch-and-throw guy, but the organization will want him to play every day, which can happen only in the minors. Anderson's speed and ability to play all of the outfield positions give him the edge there.

ROOKIE WATCH:

INF Brent Lillibridge's versatility -- he can play outfield, third base, shortstop and second base -- and speed were strong points going into spring training; he added offense to that. OF Jordan Schafer will start at Class A Myrtle Beach, but only because the organization wants him to play every day. He could get a call-up this season.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP John Smoltz (neck and right shoulder soreness) was scratched from his March 21 start. He might spend the first few days of the regular season on the disabled list before pitching April 6.

LHP Mike Gonzalez (Tommy John elbow surgery in May 2007) is not expected to be ready to pitch until after the All-Star break, but he hopes to return in May. He went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21.

INF Omar Infante (broken left hand) was expected all along to have a delayed start to the season, but the timetable has been pushed back. Instead of missing the first week, he may miss the first month. He went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21.

RHP Anthony Lerew (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2007) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 21.

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