N.L. east

ATLANTA BRAVES

SS Rafael Furcal has cartilage damage in his right knee that likely will affect him for the rest of the season. He plans to play through the discomfort, but his speed will be affected. ... The acquisition of OF Todd Hollandsworth provides the team with a veteran lefthanded bat to bring off the bench. Hollandsworth has postseason experience and has been one of the game's top pinch hitters the past four seasons. ... 1B Julio Franco has inflammation in his left elbow that could slow him during the final weeks of the season. He has trouble extending his arms air the way through his swing. SCOUTING REPORT: LHP Horacio Ramirez was inconsistent early on, but he has turned things around since regaining his aggressiveness and adding a curveball. He's throwing his cutter with more authority, which allows him to freeze more hitters with his curveball. He could earn a spot in the postseason rotation, ahead of RHPs John Thomson and Jorge Sosa.--Mark Bowman

FLORIDA MARLINS

C Matt Treanor continues to play a lot as Paul Lo Duca recovers from a sore right hamstring. C Josh Willingham's expected return from the D.L. (wrist) also will help provide depth. Willingham is more of an offensive threat than Treanor, but he isn't as polished defensively. ... Jeremy Hermida, a right fielder at Class AA, became the second player in history to hit a grand siam in his first big-league at-bat. He will play on a spot basis in left and provide flexibility for double switches. ... LF Miguel Cabrera might get more playing time at third base if Mike Lowell continues to struggle at the plate. SCOUTING REPORT: Running on Cabrera is risky, especially at Dolphins Stadium, where the outfield grass is compared to concrete. Cabrera has a strong and accurate arm, but he also takes advantage of the home-field conditions. Because the ball skips quickly off the grass, he gets it faster than he does at other parks and is in better position to throw out runners. Third base coaches often hold runners against him.--Joe Frisaro

NEW YORK METS

Kaz Matsui, who wasn't expected to play much when he returned from the D.L. August 9, is starting at second base because Miguel Cairo was not hitting well and seems to have lost some range. But Matsui is far from being regarded as the starting second baseman in 2006. ... Despite pitching eight scoreless innings August 28, RHP Steve Trachsel was told he would not make a start for at least two weeks, which has Trachsel concerned about his ability to negotiate a new deal in the offseason. ... C Mike Piazza is expected to play again, even though the recovery time for his broken left wrist (suffered August 16) is six to eight weeks. SCOUTING REPORT: The team sent RHP Heath Bell to Class AAA Norfolk to develop a changeup and become more effective against lefthanded hitters. While there, Bell started spreading his fingers on his changeup. That led to a resurrection of his splitter, which has become an effective pitch against righthanded and lefthanded hitters.--Marty Noble

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

CF Kenny Lofton's defense still is top-notch, but he's no longer fast enough to correct mistakes when he takes bad angles. He still makes spectacular plays, but he must judge balls better off the bat. ... LF Pat Burrell's approach in batting practice-working on going to right field--has led to a more productive season. Hitting coach Milt Thompson dislikes home run derby antics in batting practice. ... Winning the International League MVP award this season gave OF Shane Victorino, a September call-up, more confidence. Victorino, a switch hitter, has improved his righthanded batting. He has speed and can play all of the outfield positions. SCOUTING REPORT: C Mike Lieberthal credits a lighter bat for his hot streak, but a better explanation is he is using his hands more effectively. He has given himself more of a chance by staying back rather than drifting forward, and he is taking a smoother path to the ball.--Ken Mandel

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Deivi Cruz was acquired from the Giants to be the regular shortstop. He has a poor on-base percentage because he rarely walks, but Cruz is a solid hitter and will be an offensive upgrade over SS Cristian Guzman. Cruz also figures to play some at second in place of Jose Vidro, who continues to battle injuries. Vidro's quadriceps injuries won't fully heal until the offseason. ... RHP Ryan Drese's torn labrum means LHP John Halama will stay in the rotation. He was a pleasant surprise in his first few outings with the team. ... Prized prospect Ryan Zimmerman was called up from Class AA, but he won't be the regular third baseman and will be brought along slowly. SCOUTING REPORT: The team thinks Guzman's struggles at the plate are mental, not physical. Originally, it was thought Guzman had a vision problem, but contact lenses haven't improved matters, and neither have bitting sessions with Barry Larkin.--Bill Ladson

COPYRIGHT 2005 Sporting News Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning