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Sporting News, The, August 5, 2005

ATLANTA BRAVES

38 Chipper Jones likely will feel discomfort in his left foot for the rest of the season and might need offseason surgery. His return should provide more protection for CF Andruw Jones. ... SS Rafael Furcal struggled offensively early this season, but he heated up in July. He has shown his great potential as a leadoff hitter, reducing his chances of being dealt before the trading deadline. ... RHP Jay Powell, 33, is a year removed from elbow surgery and claims his elbow feels better than it has in years. He possesses a good sinker, which will allow him to serve as a double-play specialist. SCOUTING REPORT: During his first month in the majors, OF Jeff Francoeur, 21, didn't do anything to contradict the reports that he is a free swinger. But he has displayed plenty of power potential, great speed and a strong arm. Even when/if OF Brian Jordan (knee) returns, it makes sense to keep Francoeur in the majors.--Mark Bowman

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FLORIDA MARLINS

LHP Jason Vargas is in position to remain with the club as a starter or reliever after rising rapidly through the minors and getting called up when LHP AI Leiter was designated for assignment. Vargas is a strikeout pitcher, possessing a 92-mph fastball and a slider, curveball and changeup. A designated hitter and first baseman in college, he also swings the bat well. ... RHP Antonio Alfonseca's return from the D.L. will provide a big boost for the bullpen down the stretch. Alfonseca's velocity has returned to 93 mph; it was at about 88 mph before an elbow injury sidelined him. SCOUTING REPORT: A big reason SS Alex Gonzalez's power numbers are down from last year is he's being pitched to differently. Teams are working Gonzalez in the middle of the plate and away, and he isn't turning on inside pitches because he rarely sees them. This season, he is showing home run power mostly against hanging breaking pitches.--Joe Frisaro

NEW YORK METS

RHP Steve Trachsel (back) is pitching in the Florida State League in the final phase of his rehab. Barring a setback, Trachsel could be back in the Mets' rotation by mid-August. He was as reliable as any pitcher on the team in 2003 and '04, and reliability isn't something the team is getting from LHP Kaz Ishli, who hasn't won more than one game in any month of this season. ... Manager Willie Randolph surprised some by removing RHP Pedro Martinez from a recent start in which Martinez threw only 61 pitches and didn't allow a run. Randolph is intent on keeping his stars fresh for the stretch run. SCOUTING REPORT: 2B Kaz Matsul, who seldom is mentioned by Mets personnel, is rehabbing his left knee in the minors, and it won't be surprising if he doesn't return to the majors until after September 1. Matsui's inability to hit for average or power or to draw walks has turned him into a nonfactor in the organization.--Marty Noble

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

RHP Cory Lidle, who allowed 14 earned runs in 71h innings over a two-start stretch, thinks a flaw in his mechanics could be why he's having difficulty locating his fastball. Because Lidle doesn't have a reliable fastball, opponents are sitting on his off-speed pitches. ... RHP Tim Worrell, who spent two months on the D.L. because of psychological issues and was ineffective when he did pitch, was traded to Arizona for Matt Kata, who was playing at Class AAA Tucson before the trade. The Phillies added Kata, 27, a switch hitter who was batting .312 in the minors, to the big-league roster. He's primarily a second baseman but also played third and short with Arizona. SCOUTING REPORT: 2B Chase Utley has extremely quick hands, allowing him to get the fat part of the bat on most pitches. He drives the ball to all fields. A lefthanded batter, he is hitting .238 against lefties, compared with .332 against righthanders. Utley has improved on defense.--Ken Mandel

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

CF Preston Wilson won't be as spooked by spacious RFK Stadium as RF Jose Guillen and 3B Vinny Castilla have been. Wilson averaged nearly 26 homers during his four full seasons with the Marlins, who play in Dolphins Stadium, another park with big dimensions. Wilson, a free agent after this season, hits for power and was acquired from the Rockies to improve the team's struggling offense. ... C Bran Schneider is having the best offensive season of his career, though he can't pinpoint a reason. Schneider is expected to start most of the remaining games, and the workload could hurt his hitting. SCOUTING REPORT: Hitting coach Tom McCraw has been advising SS Cristian Guzman for weeks to focus on hitting fastballs until he has two strikes. McCraw hoped this plan would help Guzman's average to climb--and his confidence along with it. But entering the week, Guzman's average remained under .200, and he likely will be a reserve the rest of the season.--Bill Ladson

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Sporting News, The, August 5, 2005

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