--LHP Mike Hampton had to come out of his rehab start Wednesday for Class AAA Richmond after 3 1/3 innings (71 pitches) because of continuing discomfort in the strained left pectoral muscle that forced him onto the 15-day disabled list. He had been penciled in to return to the Braves for a May 10 start at Pittsburgh.
--2B Kelly Johnson was a late scratch Wednesday when his back tightened up about an hour before the game. INF Ruben Gotay got the start at second base in Johnson's place. --OF Gregor Blanco got the start Wednesday in left field. Both he and OF Matt Diaz have been hitting well, and manager Bobby Cox decided that with a two-game series in Washington, he'd give each of them a start.
--RHP John Smoltz, ordered by doctors to go at least a week without picking up a baseball while he rests his right biceps and inflamed rotator cuff, is being forced to consider the possibility of pitching out of the bullpen once again. Injuries to closers Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan are as compelling reasons as his own uncertain health.
--1B Mark Teixeira was out of Wednesday's game at a crucial moment in the 12th inning because manager Bobby Cox pinch-ran for him; sub Martin Prado couldn't corral a subsequent ball, which contributed to the bases-loaded situation that led to the Nationals' win.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Number of split-finger fastballs RHP John Smoltz threw in spring training. He used the pitch to record his 3,000th career strikeout April 22 against Nationals 2B Felipe Lopez.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's more mental than physical at this point." -- LHP Mike Hampton, on rehabbing his strained left pectoral muscle.
