--LHP Tom Glavine said he feels more free and easy every time he pitches now, and he's especially happy with the separation in velocity of his fastball and his changeup. Glavine is scheduled for another minor league rehab start Sunday and could return to the Braves next week.

--C Brian McCann, already the National League's top offensive catcher, thinks his power will improve as he ages and gets to know more about his swing. McCann, who has averaged almost 22 home runs the last three seasons, already has two in the first three games this season.

--INF Omar Infante, who played five positions for the Braves last season after coming over from Detroit, made his 2009 debut at third base. He started in place of 3B Chipper Jones, who was scratched because of a bone bruise in his left thumb. Jones hopes to be back in the lineup Friday.

--LF Garret Anderson's availability this weekend was in question heading into Thursday's off day. He aggravated his right calf muscle while running in the outfield before Wednesday's game.

--RHP Derek Lowe, the Braves' scheduled starting pitcher in their home opener Friday, induced 13 groundball outs in his opening-day start at Philadelphia. That puts a premium on defense, and 2B Kelly Johnson vows to cut down on the number of errors he made in his first two seasons at second (14 each year). Johnson, a converted outfielder, says he now feels like a second baseman but still has some trouble on balls hit to his backhand side.

MEDICAL WATCH:

3B Chipper Jones (bone bruise on left thumb) was scratched from the April 8 lineup. He hopes to return to action April 10.

LF Garret Anderson (strained right calf) was scratched from the April 8 lineup, but he appeared in the game as a pinch hitter. He is day-to-day.

LHP Tom Glavine (shoulder and elbow surgeries) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He is expected to make a minor league rehab start on April 12, and he could join the Atlanta rotation later that week.

C David Ross (strained right groin) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 2.

RHP Tim Hudson (Tommy John surgery on right elbow in August 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 4. He is targeting an August return date, barring setbacks.

RHP Charlie Morton (left oblique strain) went on the 15-day disabled list March 30.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Derek Lowe

2. RHP Jair Jurrjens

3. RHP Javier Vazquez

4. RHP Kenshin Kawakami

BULLPEN:

LHP Mike Gonzalez (closer)

RHP Blaine Boyer

RHP Peter Moylan

RHP Jorge Campillo

RHP Jeff Bennett

RHP Buddy Carlyle

LHP Eric O'Flaherty

RHP Rafael Soriano

LINEUP:

1. CF Jordan Schafer

2. 2B Kelly Johnson

3. 3B Chipper Jones

4. C Brian McCann

5. RF Jeff Francoeur

6. SS Yunel Escobar

7. LF Matt Diaz or Garret Anderson

8. 1B Casey Kotchman

RESERVES:

OF Matt Diaz or Garret Anderson

INF Martin Prado

INF/OF Omar Infante

INF/OF Greg Norton

C Clint Sammons