N.L. east

ATLANTA BRAVES

RHPs Adam Bernero and Jorge Sosa are providing good depth in the bullpen. Bernero is showing more aggressiveness and much better command than during his stints with the Tigers and Rockies. He has been helped by advice from RHP John Smoltz. Sosa still is somewhat raw and has struggled some with his control, but he has a lively fastball. ... CF Andruw Jones has rebounded from an early slump with an impressive surge. Jones has been more selective at the plate, waiting for pitches he can handle. OVERLOOKED: Eddie Perez provides the Braves with some offense and steady defense as the backup catcher. Perez, 37, still has the ability to drive the ball on occasion, though he doesn't hit for a good average or have much plate discipline. Perez, who is in his second stint with the team, handles the pitching staff well and is comfortable with his role. He is an asset in the clubhouse, someone who is widely respected and has great baseball knowledge.--Mark Bowman

FLORIDA MARLINS

In an attempt to pull 3B Mike Lowell out of his seasonlong slump, manager Jack McKeon last weekend replaced Lowell at third with LF Miguel Cabrera, who hasn't played the position since 2003, and put Jeff Conine in left. McKeon says he doesn't know how long he'll leave Cabrera at third and Lowell on the bench. ... Until Lowell snaps out of it and becomes the steady run producer he has been in the past, expect 1B Carlos Delgado to bat third and Cabrera to hit cleanup. Heading into the season, the Marlins envisioned Cabrera, Delgado and Lowell hitting 3-4-5. OVERLOOKED: Damion Easley, a former All-Star second baseman, has come to grips with the fact that he now is a bench player, and he has found his niche as a supersub. He fills in when 2B Luis Castillo, who has been hampered by injuries, needs a breather, and he also is a reserve at shortstop, third base and first base. Easley does a lot of work in the batting cages to stay sharp.--Joe Frisaro

NEW YORK METS

2B Kazuo Matsui, who has been unproductive for most of the season, was dropped from second to eighth in the order. That could be a sign Matsui is moving closer to the bench. Miguel Cairo is lurking as a possible replacement. ... The club might need to add a 12th pitcher soon. It has one day off from May 20 to June 5. RHPs Roberto Hernandez and Heath Bell are the setup relievers entrusted with leads, and the club must be careful not to overuse them. OVERLOOKED: The temptation is to identify Chris Woodward as the prototypical utilityman, but he's far more than that. He has played everywhere but pitcher and catcher and has started at four positions. He does what he's asked to do at the plate--sacrifice bunt, hit behind a runner, score a runner from third. What distinguishes him from most all-purpose players is that he makes plays wherever he is on defense. Woodward already has saved runs in left field and at third and first base.--Marty Noble

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

After a blistering April, LF Pat Burrell has cooled somewhat. He still is hitting for a decent average but isn't driving the ball as much. Scouts say Burrell is overswinging again and trying to pull the ball too often. Burrell is at his best when he is driving the ball to right-center field and laying off pitches low and out of the strike zone. ... RHP Robinson Tejeda, 23, got his first taste of major league action last week after being called up from Class AAA. The club loves his improved fastball, which has been clocked in the high 90s. Tejeda also has shown a tendency to induce ground balls, a necessity at Citizens Bank Park. OVERLOOKED: RHP Ryan Madson's value has increased greatly in the setup role, and some think he has the potential to be a closer. Madson's changeup is devastating, which allows his 93-mph fastball to look even faster. Opposing batters still are fooled by Madsen's funky, over-the-top delivery.--Ken Mandel

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

RHP Claudio Vargas was activated from the D.L. and inserted into the rotation, which resulted in RHP Tomo Ohka being demoted to the bullpen. Ohka has had a tough time throwing strikes, and the club has been alarmed by the significant drop in his velocity. Vargas impressed Class AAA New Orleans manager Tim Foli during Vargas' rehab assignment. ... 2B Jose Vidro (ankle) is --expected to be out for at least three weeks, so Jamey Carroll will be the everyday second baseman. ... The Nationals still are looking for a power hitter who could bat fifth and protect OF Jose Guillen. 28 Alfonso Soriano of the Rangers and CFs Preston Wilson of the Rockies and Vernon Wells of the Blue Jays are rumored targets. OVERLOOKED: Though IF Carlos Baerga doesn't play every day, he keeps the dugout loose, and his encouraging presence has been a factor in Washingon's good start. He also has been a valuable pinch hitter.--Bill Ladson

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