N.L. reports

Sporting News, The, August 2, 2004

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS LF Luis Gonzalez will have season-ending elbow surgery in early August, so OF Luis Terrero will be promoted from Class AAA Tucson. He hit .350 in a recent stint with the club but was sent down so he could play every day.... RHP Brian Bruney was sent to Tucson to work on his curveball. He had been relying too much on his fastball, and big-league hitters picked up on it.... With an inexperienced staff, pitching coach Mark Davis is focused more on pitchers' approaches than results. He wants them to concentrate on solid mechanics and following a game plan. If they focus strictly on the outcome, they could get discouraged by things out of their control. THE ROAD AHEAD: In August, the team plays only two games in its division. It has two series against the Pirates and Reds.--Steve Gilbert

ATLANTA BRAVES 1B Adam LaRoche's return from the D.L. allows Julio Franco to come off the bench again. Franco, who showed some wear as the starter while LaRoche was out, has been revitalized, and he gives the team an experienced, reliable pinch-hit option.... RHP Chris Reitsma has been inconsistent because he hasn't had as good of a changeup as anticipated. Reitsma has struggled to put hitters away, and his fastball has flattened as he has piled up appearances--he's on pace to pitch in 84 games. THE ROAD AHEAD: With just two games against division opponents in August, the Braves must take care of business against the powers from the N.L. Central and West. In a 10-day stretch, they play the Cardinals, Padres and Dodgers.--Mark Bowman

CHICAGO CUBS 2B Mark Grudzielanek (Achilles') has been slow to get his hitting stroke back after a stint on the D.L., and 2B Todd Walker has cooled off considerably. Manager Dusty Baker is having a tough time keeping both players sharp.... CF Corey Patterson is working on his bunting in hopes of using his speed more.... Don't expect RHP Carlos Zambrano to change his animated ways, even after being suspended for five games after twice plunking Cardinals CF Jim Edmonds. Baker likes Zambrano's energy. THE ROAD AHEAD: The Cubs play the top three N.L. West teams (San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles) in the first half of August, then have a two-week stretch with six games each against division rivals Milwaukee and Houston.--Carrie Muskat

CINCINNATI REDS Expect Ryan Freel to take over as the everyday third baseman once CF Ken Griffey returns from the D.L. (hamstring). With 3B Brandon Larson (hamstring) on the D.L., it's the most logical way for the team to keep Fred's bat in the lineup. Freel has been filling in for Griffey in center.... Wily Mo Pena has earned playing time in right field, but the club still sees Austin Kearns as a part of its future. One of them may be moved to third base in the offseason.... RHP Jose Acevedo isn't good enough to blow fastballs past hitters. He needs to focus on keeping the ball down in the strike zone. Pour location has been a major reason for his recent struggles. THE ROAD AHEAD: The Reds will have an opportunity to improve their wild-card position in August with games against the Giants and Padres. They also have six games against the N.L. Central-leading Cardinals.--Todd Lorenz

COLORADO ROCKIES C Todd Greene has begun alternating starts with C Charles Johnson, and that has puzzled Johnson, who entered the week hitting 34 points higher than last season. But Johnson only has one home run since the end of May (Greene has tour in July alone), and club officials privately have criticized Johnson's defense and were turned off when he said he wouldn't waive his no-trade clause.... In his first two starts after the All-Star break, LHP Shawn Estes threw more strikes and hit both sides of the plate.... After a rash of mental lapses early in the year, the team's pitchers began participating in organized fielding practices at least twice a month. That has reduced the gaffes, such as forgetting to cover a base. THE ROAD AHEAD: After the Rockies stayed within the division most of July, their August schedule is heavy with teams from the N.L. East.--Thomas Harding

FLORIDA MARLINS OF/C/1B Josh Willingham needs polish before he can catch regularly. He was shaky in his first two starts behind the plate. Called up from Class AA, Willingham has power potential and the makeup to be a good hitter. Finding a position for him is the challenge.... The team dealt LHP Darren Oliver to the Astros for a player to he named or cash considerations. RHP Justin Wayne was called up from Class AAA to replace Oliver.... IF Damion Easley is getting plenty of playing time because of nagging injuries to SS Alex Gonzalez (hamstring) and 2B Luis Castillo (back). He also has platooned with 1B Hee Seop Choi. THE ROAD AHEAD: A nine-game trip to Milwaukee, Los Angeles and San Diego splits the month. In a stretch of non-division games, staying near the top of the division is key because it will be tough to make up ground without head-to-head meetings.--Joe Frisaro

HOUSTON ASTROS The bullpen has failed since the All-Star break. RHP Brad Lidge is the only reliever who has been consistent in his role.... The club is hoping LHP Darren Oliver, acquired from the Marlins, will take some of the pressure off of struggling lefthanded specialist Mike Gallo. With the back end of the rotation on shaky ground, Oliver also will be useful if the team needs a spot starter. Oliver doesn't overpower hitters, but he is successful when his command is good. He uses a cut fastball that runs in on righthanded hitters. His main breaking pitch is a slider, but he mixes in a curveball on occasion. THE ROAD AHEAD: The club will play only six games in August against a team out of contention for either a division title or wildcard berth. The Astros have six games against the Phillies and face the division-rival Cubs seven times.--Alyson Footer