--1B Casey Kotchman agreed to a one-year, $2,885,000 contract with the Braves, avoiding arbitration.
--LHP Tom Glavine got a good report at his Jan. 26 appointment with Dr. James Andrews, who operated on Glavine's left elbow last year. Glavine anticipates being able to pitch in spring training games. --RHP Tommy Hanson is one of 16 non-roster invitees to spring training, although general manager Frank Wren insists Hanson will not be rushed to the majors before he's ready.
--OF Jordan Schafer is one of 16 non-roster invitees to spring training. Schafer missed 50 games in the minors last season because he tested positive for HGH. Schafer, who refuses to discuss that, does say he takes responsibility for hanging with the wrong crowd.
--OF Jason Heyward is one of 16 non-roster invitees to spring training. Heyward, rated the Braves' second-best prospect by Baseball America, will not be making the team out of spring training, but manager Bobby Cox believes in exposing young players to the major-league atmosphere as much and as often as possible.
--The Braves have brought back Don Sutton to join newcomer Jim Powell in the radio booth. Team executives have been concerned about losing so much tradition with the death of broadcaster Skip Caray, the retirement of his partner Pete Van Wieren and the defection to the Red Sox of RHP John Smoltz, a local icon.
BY THE NUMBERS: 16 -- Number of non-roster invitees to spring training, including RHP Tommy Hanson, the first pitcher in the 17-year history of the Arizona Fall League to be named MVP.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I may be the long guy in the 'pen." -- RHP Tim Hudson, on how strong the Braves' rotation looks. Hudson is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is not expected to be ready to pitch until August.
