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National League East

Atlanta Braves
1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Andruw Jones, CF
3. Chipper Jones, LF
4. Gary Sheffield, RF
5. Vinny Castilla, 3B
6. Julio Franco, 1B
7. Javy Lopez, C
8. Marcus Giles, 2B

Bench
Henry Blanco, C
Mark DeRosa, IF
Wes Helms, CR
Keith Lockhart, 2B, 3B
B.J. Surhoff, CR, LF/RF

Rotation
1. Greg Maddux
2. Tom Glavine
3. Kevin Millwood
4. Jason Marquis
5. Albie Lopez

Bullpen
Closer: John Smoltz
Setup: Kerry Ligtenberg
Righty: Tim Spooneybarger
L1: Mike Remlinger
L2: Damian Moss
L3: John Foster
Middle Relief: Darren Holmes

Injury Notes

Outfielder Cory Aldridge had surgery last week to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. He should be able to return faster than a pitcher with the same injury, though he is still expected to be out until at least June.

Giles, who had hemorrhoid surgery a week ago, has already begun to take batting practice again and should be back in exhibition games by tomorrow. Consequently the Braves don't expect him to miss any playing time.

George Lombard will start the season on the DL with a hamstring injury. He's still over a week away from taking batting practice, so he will likely be out until May.

Dave Martinez had knee surgery in early March and will miss the entire season. If this surgery does not help with the problems caused by his chronic patellar tendinitis, his career could be in danger.

Offense Notes: Surhoff will have a reduced role this season as a utility man, competing with Franco and Helms for playing time at first base and subbing in the outfield.

Pitching Notes: When Lombard returns from the DL, the Braves will need to drop their 12th pitcher. While they may decide not to keep three lefties, I think they're more likely to drop Darren Holmes.

Florida Marlins
1. Luis Castillo, 2B
2. Preston Wilson, CF
3. Cliff Floyd, LF
4. Kevin Millar, RF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Derrek Lee, 1B
7. Mike Redmond, C
8. Alex Gonzalez, SS

Bench
Ramon Castro, C
Marty Malloy, 2B
Andy Fox, UT
Mark Smith, OF, 1B
Eric Owens, OF, 2B, 3B
Tim Raines, LF

Rotation
1. Ryan Dempster
2. A.J. Burnett
3. Brad Penny
4. Julian Tavarez
5. Josh Beckett

Bullpen
Short Relief: Vladimir Nunez
Short Relief: Braden Looper
L1: Vic Darensbourg
L2: Armando Almanza
L3: Michael Tejera
Middle Relief: Kevin Olsen

Injury Notes

Charles Johnson will probably start the season on the DL. He missed most of Spring Training with a sprained left thumb and the Marlins don't want to rush him back. He was only recently cleared to resume baseball activities and will need to spend the first week of the season working out in extended Spring Training. He will likely join the club for their April 8th home opener, thus avoiding the chilly weather in Philadelphia, as well as a series in Montreal. Castro is out of options, so he may not be sent down even when Johnson joins the team. Florida is still trying to trade him, but the fact that he will likely be available on waivers has depressed interest. If they decide to carry three catchers for a few weeks, Mark Smith is probably most likely to be demoted.

Benito Baez, who has not pitched since early March, is supposed to see Dr. Andrews about a sore elbow on April 1st. Andrews performs most of the Tommy John surgeries, so the prospects of him pitching much this season seem dim.

Offense Notes: Many of the Marlins, specifically Castillo and Owens, have a green light this season.

Pitching Notes: The Marlins traded RHP Matt Clement and RHP Antonio Alfonseca to the Cubs on Wednesday in return for RHP Julian Tavarez, RHP Jose Cueto, LHP Dontrelle Willis, and C Ryan Jorgensen.

With Alfonseca gone, the closer's job is open. Looper has been the closer in waiting for a while, but Nunez also has a good chance. Torborg doesn't plan to decide immediately and may use both at least to start the season. I think that if both pitchers are given a shot at the job, Nunez has a solid shot at pitching well enough to secure the position on a full-time basis. Taverez will take the rotation spot opened by the departure of Clement.

More detailed analysis of the trade will be included in this week's "Good Chicago Sports", which should be posted tomorrow.

Montreal Expos
1. Peter Bergeron, CF
2. Jose Vidro, 2B
3. Vladimir Guerrero, RF
4. Orlando Cabrera, SS
5. Lee Stevens, 1B
6. Chris Truby, 3B
7. Brad Wilkerson, LF
8. Michael Barrett, C

Bench
Brian Schneider, C
Andres Galarraga, 1B
Mike Mordecai, IF
Lou Collier, UT
Felix Jose, LF/RF

Rotation
1. Javier Vazquez
2. Tony Armas, Jr.
3. Carl Pavano
4. Tomo Ohka
5. Masato Yoshii

Bullpen
Closer: Scott Strickland
Setup: Matt Herges
Righty: Britt Reames
L1: Graeme Lloyd
L2: Scott Stewart
Middle Relief: Alan Mills
Middle Relief: Joey Eischen

Injury Notes

Stevens has had hamstring and groin problems all spring. He will likely attempt to play through them rather than go on the DL, but they have a good chance of recurring later in the season, possibly causing a DL trip then.

Tatis is a bundle of injuries. The groin injury he suffered in 2000 was very severe, which means there's a constant concern that he could re-injure it. Last season he tore his right labrum, and he's suffering from shoulder tendinitis this spring. Additionally, he is still recovering from the knee surgery he had after being diagnosed with patella tendinitis, the knee problem that forced Mark McGwire's retirement. He'll start the season on the DL, and while I expect him to attempt to return at some point, it probably won't be long before one of these injuries returns him to the disabled list. Truby will start full-time in his absence.

Scott Downs had Tommy John surgery last March. He is well into his rehab but isn't likely to return until at least June and could stay stretch his recovery through the All-Star break. However, he should join the rotation when he returns.

Eric Good underwent shoulder surgery this spring. There is no news on the timetable for his return.

Troy Mattes is on the DL with shoulder tendinitis. He had a shot at the rotation this spring but will likely spend time in AAA when he recovers.

Offense Notes: Troy O'Leary, who was released by the Devil Rays on Monday, signed a minor league deal with Montreal. He will likely start the season as injury insurance in the minors but has a shot at replacing Jose as the back-up outfielder before long. Henry Rodriguez, who signed minor league deal with the team last week, has a smaller chance at taking the outfield bench position.

Pitching Notes: Yoshii isn't secure in the fifth starter's spot. They may still move him to the bullpen, though most of his challengers are out of the running.

New York Mets
1. Roger Cedeno, RF
2. Roberto Alomar, 2B
3. Mike Piazza, C
4. Mo Vaughn, 1B
5. Edgardo Alfonzo, 3B
6. Jeromy Burnitz, LF
7. Jay Payton, CF
8. Rey Ordonez, SS

Bench
Vance Wilson, C
John Valentin, IF
Mark Johnson, 1B, LF
Joe McEwing, UT
Gary Matthews, Jr., OF

Rotation
1. Al Leiter
2. Steve Trachsel
3. Shawn Estes
4. Pedro Astacio
5. Jeff D'Amico

Bullpen
Closer: Armando Benitez
Setup: David Weathers
Righty: Kane Davis
L1: Mark Guthrie
L2: Bruce Chen
Middle Relief: Grant Roberts
Middle Relief: Pete Walker

Injury Notes

Burnitz was diagnosed with patella tendinitis this spring. He hasn't had any severe problems in camp, but it is something to watch if he has starts to report knee troubles during the season.

Astacio did not have surgery to repair his torn labrum. He instead decided to work through it with rehab so he will have to be very careful not to aggravate the injury during the season.

Kane Davis had to have a cortisone shot for the tendinitis in his right elbow on Sunday. However, he's not currently considered a candidate for the disabled list.

John Franco, who had minor elbow surgery in December, has had a sore elbow this spring. The elbow is strained, so he will start the season on the DL and likely be out at least until May.

Offense Notes: Timo Perez still might be able to snatch the reserve outfielder's job from Matthews or replace Mark Johnson on the bench. However, Perez has an option and Matthews would have to go through waivers. The Mets claimed Chris Latham off waivers from the Blue Jays. He's unlikely to make the team over the other bench candidates.

Pitching Notes: Satoru Komiyama appears to be headed for AAA to start the season, though he still has chance to force Walker off the team. Chen likely won't leave the bullpen until Franco is able to return, which would bump Walker or Komiyama.

Philadelphia Phillies
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Doug Glanville, CF
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Travis Lee, 1B
6. Mike Lieberthal, C
7. Pat Burrell, LF
8. Marlon Anderson, 2B

Bench
Todd Pratt, C
Dave Hollins, CR
Nick Punto, MI
Kevin Jordan, CR, 2B
John Mabry, CR, OF
Ricky Ledee, OF

Rotation
1. Robert Person
2. Vicente Padilla
3. Terry Adams
4. Brandon Duckworth
5. Dave Coggin

Bullpen
Closer: Jose Mesa
Setup: Ricky Bottalico
Righty: Cliff Politte
L1: Rheal Cormier
L2: Pete Zamora
Long Relief: Nelson Figueroa

Injury Notes

Tomas Perez sprained his MCL and slightly tore his meniscus during a double play on Monday. He will be out 3-6 weeks. While he is gone, the Phillies will either pick up a middle infield back-up off waivers or use Nick Punto off the bench.

Randy Wolf will start the season on the DL due to elbow tendinitis. He is currently expected back for his April 11th start, in which case either Coggin or Padilla will go to the bullpen.

Offense Notes: Many Phillies have a chance to improve this season due to the off-season exchange of hitting coaches.

Pitching Notes: When Wolf returns the team will have to decide whether to carry 12 pitchers and drop a bench player, possibly Hollins, or chose a pitcher to send down. As several of the pitchers are out of options, they will have several factors to consider when making their decision.

Division Ranking:
Atlanta
Philadelphia
Florida
New York
Montreal