Heyward stays hot in win over Jays  ...more ?
Heyward stays hot in win over Jays
McCann homers twice against Astros  ...more ?
McCann homers twice against Astros
Hudson sees new pitch possibilities  ...more ?
Hudson sees new pitch possibilities
McLouth can see path to spring success  ...more ?
McLouth can see path to spring success
Hudson struggles as Braves fall to Jays  ...more ?
Hudson struggles as Braves fall to Jays
Braves introduce new arrival Salcedo  ...more ?
Braves introduce new arrival Salcedo
Jurrjens pleased with spring debut  ...more ?
Jurrjens pleased with spring debut
Lowe expects to make scheduled start  ...more ?
Lowe expects to make scheduled start
Gritty Conrad off to strong spring start  ...more ?
Gritty Conrad off to strong spring start
Braves, Pirates halted early by rain  ...more ?
2000s marked by end of great careers  ...more ?
2000s marked by end of great careers
UMPS CARE launches 2010 auction  ...more ?
UMPS CARE launches 2010 auction
Jurrjens crucial to Braves' success  ...more ?
Jurrjens crucial to Braves' success
Braves' plans unchanged by rainout  ...more ?
Braves' plans unchanged by rainout
Sucre delivers walk-off win vs. Mets  ...more ?
Sucre delivers walk-off win vs. Mets
Lowe hoping new blister doesn't slow him  ...more ?
Lowe hoping new blister doesn't slow him
Heyward sits day after running into wall  ...more ?
Heyward sits day after running into wall
Braves pleased by Glaus' fast start  ...more ?
Braves pleased by Glaus' fast start
Hinske stays hot in loss to Phils  ...more ?
Hinske stays hot in loss to Phils
Wagner feeling a lot more comfortable  ...more ?
Wagner feeling a lot more comfortable


Yahoo! Sports

Thurston homers, Braves beat Blue Jays 8-5 (AP)  ...more ?
Joe Thurston homered and Martin Prado and Freddie Freeman drove in two runs apiece to lead the Atlanta Braves to an 8-5 split-squad victory Sunday over the Toronto Blue Jays. Prado's two-run single capped Atlanta's three-run second inning against Brandon Morrow. Thurston's first home run of the spring and Freeman's two-run single highlighted the Braves' four-run fourth that...
Braves Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?

The Braves rotation may be set, but the bullpen? That's another story.

Manager Bobby Cox and pitching coach Roger McDowell are confident enough with their starters to be able to more or less map out the season—barring injuries—slotting each one for an optimal start and figuring out rest days as the season winds down.

No such luxury with the relievers.

The expected closing tandem, left-hander Billy Wagner and right-hander Takashi Saito, had trouble finding the strike zone in their earliest spring training outings. Wagner rebounded to the point where he was working on throws to first base during his appearances. Saito's stuff had been there, but his fastball command had not been consistent.

Romero throws 4 scoreless innings, strikes out 4 as Blue Jays defeat Braves 3-0 (The Canadian Press)  ...more ?

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ricky Romero had another strong start on Saturday, pitching four shutout innings and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-0.


Romero throws 4 scoreless in Jays' win (AP)  ...more ?
Ricky Romero had another strong start on Saturday, pitching four shutout innings and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-0. It wasn't perfect for Romero who struck out four, but also walked four under windy conditions, but he said the key was that he was able to pitch out of jams.
Jurrjens pitches 2 innings before showers end game (AP)  ...more ?
Atlanta Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens managed to make his spring debut, anyway. Jurrjens threw two scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday before the game was called after three due to showers that washed away the exhibition slate in Florida. Jurrjens had been struggling with inflammation around his right shoulder and manager Bobby Cox decided to be cautious.
Braves' Lowe departs after 1 inning with blister (AP)  ...more ?

Derek Lowe could only stare at his foot in disbelief. Longtime Braves manager Bobby Cox said he had never seen anything like it. Lowe was hampered Wednesday by a blister on his right foot, forcing him out of Atlanta's 7-6 victory over the New York Mets after just one inning. Lowe said the recurring blister on his push-off foot popped with Daniel Murphy at the plate, after he had faced two...


Halladay shuts down Braves (AP)  ...more ?
This time last year, Billy Wagner was facing little leaguers in Virginia and recovering from elbow surgery. The former All-Star closer, signed by the Braves in the offseason, retired all three batters he faced Tuesday night in Atlanta's 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies and said he felt comfortable for the first time this spring.
Heyward homers to lead Braves to 12-4 rout of Tigs (AP)  ...more ?
Jason Heyward made his first spring training homer a memorable one. The Atlanta Braves' 20-year-old right fielder almost cleared the batting cage behind the right-field wall Monday with a two-run homer off Max Scherzer in the first inning of a 12-4 exhibition victory over the Detroit Tigers. "That's one of the longer ones I've seen hit in this ballpark," said Braves manager...
Hanson has soild start for Braves (AP)  ...more ?

This time last year, Tommy Hanson was a confident prospect who knew it wouldn't be long until he made the major leagues. After a half-season rising through the Atlanta Braves system, Hanson made his major league debut and surprised no one, going 11-4 in 21 starts for the Braves. Now, his confidence is just as high.


Oswalt shaky in first spring start (AP)  ...more ?
Roy Oswalt threw two rocky, yet scoreless innings in his spring debut and the Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 3-0 Saturday. Oswalt walked three and loaded the bases in the first. He allowed just one hit and struck out two while throwing 44 pitches, 25 for strikes. The right-hander said he stuck to fastballs and changeups.
Lowe pitches 2 scoreless inning for Braves (AP)  ...more ?

Derek Lowe got off to a solid start after a rough first season in Atlanta, pitching two hitless innings in the Braves' 11-8 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday. Atlanta's new closer, Billy Wagner, did not fare so well. He gave up three hits and two runs in the third inning. Yunel Escobar went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Melky Cabrera had two hits and an RBI for...


Lowe pitches two scoreless inning for Braves (AP)  ...more ?

Derek Lowe got off to a solid start after a rough first season in Atlanta, pitching two hitless innings in the Braves' 11-8 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday. The Braves new closer, Billy Wagner, did not fare so well. He gave up three hits and two runs in the third inning. Yunel Escobar went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Melky Cabrera had two hits and an RBI for the...


Lowe's new delivery doesn't include barbs (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
A maturing Derek Lowe spent the offseason rebuilding his delivery instead of gloating over the McCourts' misfortunes.
Stew Book Review: Chris Jaffe's 'Evaluating Baseball Managers' (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Evaluating Baseball's Managers: A History and Analysis of Performance in the Major Leagues, 1876-2008 by...
Former Pirate McLouth helps Braves top Pittsburgh (AP)  ...more ?
This time last year Nate McLouth was hoping to avoid another season in last place. This year, he's poised to be the starting center fielder with serious championship hopes. McLouth scored a run to lead off the first inning and help lead the Braves to a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, his former team.
Hudson sharp for 2 innings, Braves beat Mets 9-5 (AP)  ...more ?

Tim Hudson wasn't taking his first start of the spring too seriously. Hudson allowed only two hits over two shutout innings, facing the minimum six batters in a 9-5 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday, and said he can't wait to take the mound again. "It would be an awesome thing if it were in July," Hudson said.


Play Ball! Mets beat Braves in first spring game (AP)  ...more ?
Cross another last off the list for Bobby Cox. Atlanta's longtime manager got two scoreless innings from Tommy Hanson, but the New York Mets spoiled Cox's last spring training opener with a 4-2 victory over the Braves on Tuesday. Cox announced last September that he plans to retire after his 21st consecutive season in Atlanta's dugout -- the longest tenure of any active manager -- and...
Get the nets! Braves aim to protect selves against Jason Heyward (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Bobby Cox insisted that he wasn't kidding and visitors to Champion Stadium on...
Spring Snapshot: Braves seek one more postseason trip for Cox (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Every day in spring training until we're finished with the entire league, Big League Stew takes a brief...