INDIAN WELLS, Calif. 

--CF Jordan Schafer has returned home after straining a tendon in his right middle finger. 

Despite the disappointing season, manager Bobby Cox is looking toward 2009 with rose-colored glasses. 

The Braves may yet end up with Padres ace Jake Peavy before the season starts; the fact that general manager Frank Wren pulled out of the sweepstakes as free agency began doesn't mean a trade couldn't still materialize. 

--CF Jordan Schafer has returned home after straining a tendon in his right middle finger. 

Despite the disappointing season, manager Bobby Cox is looking toward 2009 with rose-colored glasses. 

The Braves may yet end up with Padres ace Jake Peavy before the season starts; the fact that general manager Frank Wren pulled out of the sweepstakes as free agency began doesn't mean a trade couldn't still materialize. 

Each of Major League Baseball's 30 teams employs men and women whose sole job it is to scout special talents. 

Junichi Tazawa is weighing an offer from the Red Sox, as well as others from theAtlantaBraves, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, to come pitch in the United States. 

After pulling out of stalled trade talks for San Diego ace Jake Peavy, the Braves have turned their attention to hard-throwing Toronto Blue Jays free agent A. 

Mike Mussina, a 270-game winner who won 20 this year for theNewYorkYankees, left no doubt last week: He is retiring. 

Andy Pettitte has spoken with Joe Torre about joining the Dodgers, sources tell Ken Rosenthal. 

A pair of local developers have another legal problem in the form of a controversial ex- AtlantaBraves pitcher. 

--LHP Eric O'Flaherty, who made 78 relief appearances for the Mariners over the past three seasons, was claimed off waivers by the Braves. 

Despite the disappointing season, manager Bobby Cox is looking toward 2009 with rose-colored glasses.