--RHP Tim Hudson says he was thrilled and relieved to look up at the scoreboard during his start Monday against the Nationals and see a nine in front of the pitch speed -- as in 90, 91. Hudson admits he was worried when he lost velocity in his previous outing, hoping it was the effects of the flu but afraid it might not be.
--RHP Rafael Soriano (right elbow tendinitis) was eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, but he did not since he is not supposed to throw off a mound until the end of the week. --RHP John Smoltz's 3,000th career strikeout, which came April 22 against the Nationals' 2B Felipe Lopez, was a split finger, a pitch Smoltz debuted in the 1992 playoffs against the Pirates and became a wicked pitch in '96, the year he won the Cy Young.
--LHP Mike Gonzalez threw two simulated innings in extended spring training Tuesday, a total of 23 pitches to seven hitters. He is scheduled to pitch one inning Thursday and one inning Saturday now that spring games are beginning.
--Manager Bobby Cox gave his team the day off from batting practice saying, "They've been pushed pretty hard." The Braves' first road trip of the season was also the longest of the season: three cities, 10 games, including the snow-out in Colorado.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Total runs allowed by Braves pitchers in four games April 17 (at Marlins), 18-20 (vs. Dodgers).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's as big a surprise to me that I'm not pitching tomorrow as it is anybody else." -- Tom Glavine after landing on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career.
