Bravesworld.com | Atlanta Braves News, braves Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> Despite the disappointing season, manager Bobby Cox is looking toward 2009 with rose-colored glasses. He believes every problem this year was caused by injuries to his pitching staff, and that most of those pitchers will return healthy next season. The starters will pitch more innings, so the bullpen can pitch fewer and thus will blow fewer leads. Healthy position players will hit more than singles, and they will string these hits together for big innings. And RF Jeff Francoeur will not ground into double plays with the bases loaded.</div>BIGGEST NEEDS: The Braves need two front-line starters, but who doesn't? Even if RHP John Smoltz and LHP Tom Glavine come back and pitch well, they are still in their 40s, and their days of throwing eight or nine innings are over, no matter how good and consistent their stuff. The Braves also need another power hitter to complement 3B Chipper Jones. That task can't always fall to C Brian McCann, who needs days off during a long season. The Braves are keeping their fingers crossed that RF Jeff Francoeur delivers more power next season, but they know they can't count on that. FREE AGENTS: RHP John Smoltz, LHP Tom Glavine, LHP Mike Hampton, LHP Will Ohman, OF/INF Greg Norton, RHP Elmer Dessens, RHP Jorge Julio, RHP Julian Tavarez. Whether Smoltz and Glavine pitch next season depends on how quickly and how well they recover from this season's surgeries -- right shoulder for Smoltz, left elbow for Glavine. The Braves would love to keep Hampton and Ohman, depending on the price tag. Norton came up big in his role as a pinch hitter, leading the majors with 18 pinch RBIs and 17 pinch walks. The bullpen was such an Achilles' heel that Dessens, Julio and Tavarez most likely will all be invited to spring training. ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: OF Matt Diaz, RF Jeff Francoeur, LHP Mike Gonzalez, INF/PH Ruben Gotay, INF/OF Omar Infante, 2B Kelly Johnson, 1B Casey Kotchman, RHP Vladimir Nunez, C Corky Miller. It's probably not possible for Francoeur to have a worse season than he did this year. At least that's what he and the Braves are counting on, and why they shouldn't have to go the hearing route, even though Francoeur has not been happy with the length or the dollars offered in proposals before the previous two seasons. Johnson really kicked his offense into gear in September. Gonzalez was up-and-down in his return from Tommy John surgery (14 saves, 4.28 ERA). Infante's playing time was limited due to a slow recovery from a broken hand suffered last offseason. Only Gonzalez has a shot at more than a moderate pay increase, due to the scarcity of left-handed closers. IN LIMBO: OF Matt Diaz may have lost his left field platoon spot when he missed four months with a torn-up left knee, courtesy of an unpadded section of the wall in Miller Park. He could be a candidate for a trade package with rookie RHP Charlie Morton and rookie LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, whose lack of improvement exasperated Cox. MEDICAL WATCH: 3B Chipper Jones wants to know what's going on in his right shoulder; he scheduled an MRI for Sept. 30 so that any structural damage it reveals can be taken care of immediately. LHP Tom Glavine (left elbow surgery) and RHP John Smoltz (right shoulder surgery) are expecting to be recovered by spring training. RHP Peter Moylan's Tommy John rehab has been going well; the beginning of May will mark one year since the surgery and is the earliest he could be expected to return. RHP Rafael Soriano (ulnar nerve transposition surgery, small bone spur in the posterior of the right elbow removed) is expected to be ready to pitch again by spring training. RHP Tim Hudson (Tommy John surgery in August 2008) could miss the entire 2009 season, although a late-season activation is his goal. LHP Chuck James, who was in the rotation at times in 2007 and 2008, in September 2008 finally underwent the shoulder surgery he'd been trying to avoid for two seasons. Dr. James Andrews repaired the slight tear in James' rotator cuff and cleaned up the frayed labrum. James will be out for at least the first half of 2009.Player StatsHITTERSManny Acosta, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Josh Anderson, LF BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .250 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .357 28 6 10 3 0 2 3 2Season .294 136 21 40 7 1 3 12 10Jeff Bennett, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .222 9 0 2 1 0 0 1 0Gregor Blanco, CF BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .251 430 52 108 14 4 1 38 13Blaine Boyer, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Francisley Bueno, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Jorge Campillo, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .182 11 1 2 0 0 0 0 0Season .178 45 4 8 1 0 0 2 0Buddy Carlyle, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .222 9 1 2 0 0 0 0 0Matt DeSalvo, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Elmer Dessens, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Matt Diaz, LF BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .111 18 0 2 0 0 0 0 0Season .244 135 9 33 2 0 2 14 4Yunel Escobar, SS BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .143 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 0Season .288 514 71 148 24 2 10 60 2Jeff Francoeur, RF BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .300 30 5 9 4 1 0 4 0Season .239 599 70 143 33 3 11 71 0Tom Glavine, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .105 19 2 2 0 0 0 1 0Mike Gonzalez, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Ruben Gotay, 3B BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game 1.000 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .500 6 1 3 0 0 0 1 0Season .235 102 10 24 5 0 2 8 1Mike Hampton, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .167 12 1 2 0 0 0 0 0Season .208 24 3 5 2 0 0 4 0Tim Hudson, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .333 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .267 15 1 4 0 0 0 0 0Season .146 41 2 6 1 0 0 2 0Omar Infante, 3B BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .269 26 4 7 3 0 0 3 0Season .293 317 45 93 24 3 3 40 0Chuck James, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Kelly Johnson, 2B BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .500 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .345 29 5 10 1 0 1 4 1Season .287 547 86 157 39 6 12 69 11Brandon Jones, LF BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .400 5 0 2 1 0 0 3 0Last 7 Games .278 18 3 5 1 0 0 4 1Season .267 116 16 31 10 1 1 17 1Chipper Jones, 3B BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .333 6 1 2 0 0 1 3 0With NLS .333 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Jorge Julio, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0With Cle .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Jair Jurrjens, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .111 9 1 1 0 0 0 0 0Season .103 58 7 6 0 1 0 0 0Casey Kotchman, 1B BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .250 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .286 28 4 8 0 0 1 6 0With LAA .287 373 47 107 24 0 12 54 2Brent Lillibridge, SS BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .333 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .294 17 3 5 1 1 0 2 1Season .200 80 9 16 6 1 1 8 2Brian McCann, C BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .350 20 2 7 4 0 0 2 0With NLS .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Corky Miller, C BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Last 7 Games .000 11 0 0 0 0 0 2 0Season .083 60 4 5 0 0 1 5 0Charlie Morton, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .111 9 0 1 1 0 0 0 0Season .059 17 0 1 1 0 0 0 0Peter Moylan, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Greg Norton, LF BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .167 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 0With Sea .438 16 2 7 2 0 0 4 0Vladimir Nunez, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Will Ohman, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0James Parr, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .333 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .250 8 1 2 1 0 0 0 0Season .250 8 1 2 1 0 0 0 0Jason Perry, RF BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .118 17 0 2 0 1 0 1 0Season .118 17 0 2 0 1 0 1 0Martin Prado, 2B BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .333 30 6 10 3 0 0 5 1Season .320 228 36 73 18 4 2 33 3Chris Resop, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Jo-Jo Reyes, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .300 10 2 3 1 0 0 2 0Season .133 30 2 4 2 0 0 2 0Jeff Ridgway, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Royce Ring, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Clint Sammons, C BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .067 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Season .148 54 2 8 0 0 1 4 0John Smoltz, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Season .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Rafael Soriano, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Phil Stockman, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Julian Tavarez, P BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBLast Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0With Mil .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0PITCHERSManny Acosta, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 3Season 3.57 3 5 3 46 53 48 21 7 26 31Jeff Bennett, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 0 3 4 3 0 0 1 2Season 3.70 3 7 3 72 97.1 86 40 5 47 68Blaine Boyer, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 5.40 0 0 0 1 1.2 2 1 1 1 1Last 7 Games 23.14 0 0 0 3 2.1 6 6 2 3 2Season 5.88 2 6 1 76 72 73 47 10 25 67Francisley Bueno, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 7.71 0 0 0 1 2.1 5 2 1 1 1Last 7 Games 7.71 0 0 0 1 2.1 5 2 1 1 1Season 7.71 0 0 0 1 2.1 5 2 1 1 1Jorge Campillo, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 12.00 0 0 0 1 3 7 4 1 0 1Last 7 Games 6.39 1 0 0 3 12.2 20 9 3 3 5Season 3.91 8 7 0 39158.2 158 69 18 38 107Buddy Carlyle, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 0 0 3Last 7 Games 0.00 1 0 0 3 4 2 0 0 0 4Season 3.59 2 0 0 45 62.2 52 25 5 26 59Matt DeSalvo, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 54.00 0 0 0 1 1 8 6 0 1 1Last 7 Games 31.50 0 0 0 2 2 11 7 0 2 2Season 31.50 0 0 0 2 2 11 7 0 2 2Elmer Dessens, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1Last 7 Games 30.86 0 1 0 3 2.1 9 8 1 2 2Season 22.50 0 1 0 4 4 10 10 1 4 2Tom Glavine, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 15.75 0 1 0 1 4 7 7 2 4 3Last 7 Games 9.75 0 2 0 3 12 19 13 4 10 8Season 5.54 2 4 0 13 63.1 67 39 11 37 37Mike Gonzalez, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2Last 7 Games 6.00 0 0 2 3 3 1 2 1 2 6Season 4.28 0 3 14 36 33.2 26 16 6 14 44Mike Hampton, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 4.50 0 1 0 1 6 4 3 1 0 5Last 7 Games 3.32 1 2 0 3 19 16 7 2 5 10Season 4.85 3 4 0 13 78 83 42 10 28 38Tim Hudson, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 1 0 0 1 6 3 0 0 1 6Last 7 Games 3.29 2 0 0 3 13.2 12 5 0 2 8Season 3.17 11 7 0 23 142 125 50 11 40 85Chuck James, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 6.75 0 1 0 1 4 5 3 1 0 3Last 7 Games 11.81 0 3 0 3 10.2 17 14 6 9 5Season 9.10 2 5 0 7 29.2 36 30 10 20 22Jorge Julio, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1Last 7 Games 0.00 1 0 0 3 3 3 0 0 1 5With Cle 5.60 0 0 0 15 17.2 18 11 3 11 15Jair Jurrjens, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 2.57 0 0 0 1 7 5 2 0 1 1Last 7 Games 5.00 1 1 0 3 18 18 10 1 8 13Season 3.68 13 10 0 31188.1 188 77 11 70 139Charlie Morton, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 3 1Last 7 Games 4.76 1 0 0 3 11.1 9 6 1 8 6Season 6.15 4 8 0 16 74.2 80 51 9 41 48Peter Moylan, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 1 3 2.2 2 0 0 0 3Season 1.59 0 1 1 7 5.2 5 1 1 1 5Vladimir Nunez, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 1 0 0 1 1.2 0 0 0 0 1Last 7 Games 0.00 1 0 0 3 5.2 0 0 0 2 4Season 3.86 1 2 0 23 32.2 32 14 0 19 24Will Ohman, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 0 3 1.2 1 0 0 0 0Season 3.68 4 1 1 83 58.2 51 24 3 22 53James Parr, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 8.31 0 0 0 1 4.1 8 4 1 2 0Last 7 Games 10.45 0 0 0 3 10.1 22 12 4 6 6Season 4.84 1 0 0 5 22.1 29 12 4 9 14Chris Resop, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 5.40 0 0 0 1 1.2 0 1 0 2 1Last 7 Games 5.79 0 0 0 3 4.2 2 3 1 3 2Season 5.89 0 1 0 16 18.1 16 12 2 10 13Jo-Jo Reyes, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 8.10 0 0 0 1 3.1 5 3 2 0 1Last 7 Games 12.46 0 1 0 3 8.2 17 12 6 2 4Season 5.81 3 11 0 23 113 134 73 18 52 78Jeff Ridgway, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 9.00 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1Last 7 Games 2.70 1 0 0 3 3.1 2 1 1 0 4Season 3.72 1 0 0 10 9.2 7 4 3 1 8Royce Ring, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 18.00 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 1Last 7 Games 23.14 0 0 0 3 2.1 6 6 0 2 1Season 8.46 2 1 0 42 22.1 32 21 2 10 16John Smoltz, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 18.00 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 0Last 7 Games 5.25 0 2 0 3 12 15 7 2 2 15Season 2.57 3 2 0 6 28 25 8 2 8 36Rafael Soriano, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 18.00 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 0Last 7 Games 6.00 0 1 0 3 3 2 2 1 2 1Season 2.57 0 1 3 14 14 7 4 1 9 16Phil Stockman, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 2 2Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 0 3 3 1 0 0 2 3Season 0.00 0 0 0 6 7.1 2 0 0 4 9Julian Tavarez, P ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB KLast Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 1Last 7 Games 3.86 0 1 0 3 2.1 5 1 1 1 4With Bos 6.39 0 1 0 9 12.2 18 9 0 9 6

Despite the disappointing season, manager Bobby Cox is looking toward 2009 with rose-colored glasses. He believes every problem this year was caused by injuries to his pitching staff, and that most of those pitchers will return healthy next season. The starters will pitch more innings, so the bullpen can pitch fewer and thus will blow fewer leads. Healthy position players will hit more than singles, and they will string these hits together for big innings. And RF Jeff Francoeur will not ground into double plays with the bases loaded.

BIGGEST NEEDS: The Braves need two front-line starters, but who doesn't? Even if RHP John Smoltz and LHP Tom Glavine come back and pitch well, they are still in their 40s, and their days of throwing eight or nine innings are over, no matter how good and consistent their stuff. The Braves also need another power hitter to complement 3B Chipper Jones. That task can't always fall to C Brian McCann, who needs days off during a long season. The Braves are keeping their fingers crossed that RF Jeff Francoeur delivers more power next season, but they know they can't count on that.

FREE AGENTS: RHP John Smoltz, LHP Tom Glavine, LHP Mike Hampton, LHP Will Ohman, OF/INF Greg Norton, RHP Elmer Dessens, RHP Jorge Julio, RHP Julian Tavarez.

Whether Smoltz and Glavine pitch next season depends on how quickly and how well they recover from this season's surgeries -- right shoulder for Smoltz, left elbow for Glavine. The Braves would love to keep Hampton and Ohman, depending on the price tag. Norton came up big in his role as a pinch hitter, leading the majors with 18 pinch RBIs and 17 pinch walks. The bullpen was such an Achilles' heel that Dessens, Julio and Tavarez most likely will all be invited to spring training.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: OF Matt Diaz, RF Jeff Francoeur, LHP Mike Gonzalez, INF/PH Ruben Gotay, INF/OF Omar Infante, 2B Kelly Johnson, 1B Casey Kotchman, RHP Vladimir Nunez, C Corky Miller.

It's probably not possible for Francoeur to have a worse season than he did this year. At least that's what he and the Braves are counting on, and why they shouldn't have to go the hearing route, even though Francoeur has not been happy with the length or the dollars offered in proposals before the previous two seasons. Johnson really kicked his offense into gear in September. Gonzalez was up-and-down in his return from Tommy John surgery (14 saves, 4.28 ERA). Infante's playing time was limited due to a slow recovery from a broken hand suffered last offseason. Only Gonzalez has a shot at more than a moderate pay increase, due to the scarcity of left-handed closers.

IN LIMBO: OF Matt Diaz may have lost his left field platoon spot when he missed four months with a torn-up left knee, courtesy of an unpadded section of the wall in Miller Park. He could be a candidate for a trade package with rookie RHP Charlie Morton and rookie LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, whose lack of improvement exasperated Cox.

MEDICAL WATCH:

3B Chipper Jones wants to know what's going on in his right shoulder; he scheduled an MRI for Sept. 30 so that any structural damage it reveals can be taken care of immediately.

LHP Tom Glavine (left elbow surgery) and RHP John Smoltz (right shoulder surgery) are expecting to be recovered by spring training.

RHP Peter Moylan's Tommy John rehab has been going well; the beginning of May will mark one year since the surgery and is the earliest he could be expected to return.

RHP Rafael Soriano (ulnar nerve transposition surgery, small bone spur in the posterior of the right elbow removed) is expected to be ready to pitch again by spring training.

RHP Tim Hudson (Tommy John surgery in August 2008) could miss the entire 2009 season, although a late-season activation is his goal.

LHP Chuck James, who was in the rotation at times in 2007 and 2008, in September 2008 finally underwent the shoulder surgery he'd been trying to avoid for two seasons. Dr. James Andrews repaired the slight tear in James' rotator cuff and cleaned up the frayed labrum. James will be out for at least the first half of 2009.

Player Stats

HITTERS

Manny Acosta, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Josh Anderson, LF

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .250 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .357 28 6 10 3 0 2 3 2

Season .294 136 21 40 7 1 3 12 10

Jeff Bennett, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .222 9 0 2 1 0 0 1 0

Gregor Blanco, CF

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .251 430 52 108 14 4 1 38 13

Blaine Boyer, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Francisley Bueno, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Jorge Campillo, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .182 11 1 2 0 0 0 0 0

Season .178 45 4 8 1 0 0 2 0

Buddy Carlyle, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .222 9 1 2 0 0 0 0 0

Matt DeSalvo, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Elmer Dessens, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Matt Diaz, LF

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .111 18 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

Season .244 135 9 33 2 0 2 14 4

Yunel Escobar, SS

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .143 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

Season .288 514 71 148 24 2 10 60 2

Jeff Francoeur, RF

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .300 30 5 9 4 1 0 4 0

Season .239 599 70 143 33 3 11 71 0

Tom Glavine, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .105 19 2 2 0 0 0 1 0

Mike Gonzalez, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ruben Gotay, 3B

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game 1.000 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .500 6 1 3 0 0 0 1 0

Season .235 102 10 24 5 0 2 8 1

Mike Hampton, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .167 12 1 2 0 0 0 0 0

Season .208 24 3 5 2 0 0 4 0

Tim Hudson, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .333 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .267 15 1 4 0 0 0 0 0

Season .146 41 2 6 1 0 0 2 0

Omar Infante, 3B

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .269 26 4 7 3 0 0 3 0

Season .293 317 45 93 24 3 3 40 0

Chuck James, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kelly Johnson, 2B

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .500 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .345 29 5 10 1 0 1 4 1

Season .287 547 86 157 39 6 12 69 11

Brandon Jones, LF

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .400 5 0 2 1 0 0 3 0

Last 7 Games .278 18 3 5 1 0 0 4 1

Season .267 116 16 31 10 1 1 17 1

Chipper Jones, 3B

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .333 6 1 2 0 0 1 3 0

With NLS .333 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Jorge Julio, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

With Cle .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Jair Jurrjens, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .111 9 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

Season .103 58 7 6 0 1 0 0 0

Casey Kotchman, 1B

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .250 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .286 28 4 8 0 0 1 6 0

With LAA .287 373 47 107 24 0 12 54 2

Brent Lillibridge, SS

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .333 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .294 17 3 5 1 1 0 2 1

Season .200 80 9 16 6 1 1 8 2

Brian McCann, C

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .350 20 2 7 4 0 0 2 0

With NLS .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Corky Miller, C

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Last 7 Games .000 11 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Season .083 60 4 5 0 0 1 5 0

Charlie Morton, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .111 9 0 1 1 0 0 0 0

Season .059 17 0 1 1 0 0 0 0

Peter Moylan, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Greg Norton, LF

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .167 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

With Sea .438 16 2 7 2 0 0 4 0

Vladimir Nunez, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Will Ohman, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

James Parr, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .333 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .250 8 1 2 1 0 0 0 0

Season .250 8 1 2 1 0 0 0 0

Jason Perry, RF

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .118 17 0 2 0 1 0 1 0

Season .118 17 0 2 0 1 0 1 0

Martin Prado, 2B

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .333 30 6 10 3 0 0 5 1

Season .320 228 36 73 18 4 2 33 3

Chris Resop, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Jo-Jo Reyes, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .300 10 2 3 1 0 0 2 0

Season .133 30 2 4 2 0 0 2 0

Jeff Ridgway, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Royce Ring, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Clint Sammons, C

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .067 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Season .148 54 2 8 0 0 1 4 0

John Smoltz, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Season .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Rafael Soriano, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Phil Stockman, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Season .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Julian Tavarez, P

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

With Mil .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PITCHERS

Manny Acosta, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3

Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 3

Season 3.57 3 5 3 46 53 48 21 7 26 31

Jeff Bennett, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 0 3 4 3 0 0 1 2

Season 3.70 3 7 3 72 97.1 86 40 5 47 68

Blaine Boyer, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 5.40 0 0 0 1 1.2 2 1 1 1 1

Last 7 Games 23.14 0 0 0 3 2.1 6 6 2 3 2

Season 5.88 2 6 1 76 72 73 47 10 25 67

Francisley Bueno, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 7.71 0 0 0 1 2.1 5 2 1 1 1

Last 7 Games 7.71 0 0 0 1 2.1 5 2 1 1 1

Season 7.71 0 0 0 1 2.1 5 2 1 1 1

Jorge Campillo, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 12.00 0 0 0 1 3 7 4 1 0 1

Last 7 Games 6.39 1 0 0 3 12.2 20 9 3 3 5

Season 3.91 8 7 0 39158.2 158 69 18 38 107

Buddy Carlyle, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 0 0 3

Last 7 Games 0.00 1 0 0 3 4 2 0 0 0 4

Season 3.59 2 0 0 45 62.2 52 25 5 26 59

Matt DeSalvo, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 54.00 0 0 0 1 1 8 6 0 1 1

Last 7 Games 31.50 0 0 0 2 2 11 7 0 2 2

Season 31.50 0 0 0 2 2 11 7 0 2 2

Elmer Dessens, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1

Last 7 Games 30.86 0 1 0 3 2.1 9 8 1 2 2

Season 22.50 0 1 0 4 4 10 10 1 4 2

Tom Glavine, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 15.75 0 1 0 1 4 7 7 2 4 3

Last 7 Games 9.75 0 2 0 3 12 19 13 4 10 8

Season 5.54 2 4 0 13 63.1 67 39 11 37 37

Mike Gonzalez, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2

Last 7 Games 6.00 0 0 2 3 3 1 2 1 2 6

Season 4.28 0 3 14 36 33.2 26 16 6 14 44

Mike Hampton, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 4.50 0 1 0 1 6 4 3 1 0 5

Last 7 Games 3.32 1 2 0 3 19 16 7 2 5 10

Season 4.85 3 4 0 13 78 83 42 10 28 38

Tim Hudson, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 1 0 0 1 6 3 0 0 1 6

Last 7 Games 3.29 2 0 0 3 13.2 12 5 0 2 8

Season 3.17 11 7 0 23 142 125 50 11 40 85

Chuck James, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 6.75 0 1 0 1 4 5 3 1 0 3

Last 7 Games 11.81 0 3 0 3 10.2 17 14 6 9 5

Season 9.10 2 5 0 7 29.2 36 30 10 20 22

Jorge Julio, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1

Last 7 Games 0.00 1 0 0 3 3 3 0 0 1 5

With Cle 5.60 0 0 0 15 17.2 18 11 3 11 15

Jair Jurrjens, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 2.57 0 0 0 1 7 5 2 0 1 1

Last 7 Games 5.00 1 1 0 3 18 18 10 1 8 13

Season 3.68 13 10 0 31188.1 188 77 11 70 139

Charlie Morton, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 3 1

Last 7 Games 4.76 1 0 0 3 11.1 9 6 1 8 6

Season 6.15 4 8 0 16 74.2 80 51 9 41 48

Peter Moylan, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2

Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 1 3 2.2 2 0 0 0 3

Season 1.59 0 1 1 7 5.2 5 1 1 1 5

Vladimir Nunez, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 1 0 0 1 1.2 0 0 0 0 1

Last 7 Games 0.00 1 0 0 3 5.2 0 0 0 2 4

Season 3.86 1 2 0 23 32.2 32 14 0 19 24

Will Ohman, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 0 3 1.2 1 0 0 0 0

Season 3.68 4 1 1 83 58.2 51 24 3 22 53

James Parr, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 8.31 0 0 0 1 4.1 8 4 1 2 0

Last 7 Games 10.45 0 0 0 3 10.1 22 12 4 6 6

Season 4.84 1 0 0 5 22.1 29 12 4 9 14

Chris Resop, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 5.40 0 0 0 1 1.2 0 1 0 2 1

Last 7 Games 5.79 0 0 0 3 4.2 2 3 1 3 2

Season 5.89 0 1 0 16 18.1 16 12 2 10 13

Jo-Jo Reyes, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 8.10 0 0 0 1 3.1 5 3 2 0 1

Last 7 Games 12.46 0 1 0 3 8.2 17 12 6 2 4

Season 5.81 3 11 0 23 113 134 73 18 52 78

Jeff Ridgway, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 9.00 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1

Last 7 Games 2.70 1 0 0 3 3.1 2 1 1 0 4

Season 3.72 1 0 0 10 9.2 7 4 3 1 8

Royce Ring, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 18.00 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 1

Last 7 Games 23.14 0 0 0 3 2.1 6 6 0 2 1

Season 8.46 2 1 0 42 22.1 32 21 2 10 16

John Smoltz, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 18.00 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 0

Last 7 Games 5.25 0 2 0 3 12 15 7 2 2 15

Season 2.57 3 2 0 6 28 25 8 2 8 36

Rafael Soriano, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 18.00 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 0

Last 7 Games 6.00 0 1 0 3 3 2 2 1 2 1

Season 2.57 0 1 3 14 14 7 4 1 9 16

Phil Stockman, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 2 2

Last 7 Games 0.00 0 0 0 3 3 1 0 0 2 3

Season 0.00 0 0 0 6 7.1 2 0 0 4 9

Julian Tavarez, P

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Last Game 0.00 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 1

Last 7 Games 3.86 0 1 0 3 2.1 5 1 1 1 4

With Bos 6.39 0 1 0 9 12.2 18 9 0 9 6