Atlanta doesn't have to worry about holding off the competition in the NL East as they are eighteen-and-a-half games up on the second place team in their division, the Phillies. However, the team wants to win home field advantage for the first rounds of the playoffs while allowing some of their players to rest before the postseason. Consequently, the Braves have added four players to their September roster: MI-R Jesse Garcia, RHP Kevin Gryboski, RHP Trey Hodges, and C-R Steve Torrealba.

Garcia joined the Braves in mid-May when Mark DeRosa severely injured his right ankle. Due to the length of DeRosa's stay on the disabled list, he remained on the roster until mid-July before returning to the minors through waivers. While in the majors Garcia had 11 H and 1 2B with a 0:11 BB:K and a 0/1 SB% in 52 AB for a .212 BA, .212 OBP, and .231 SLG. The 28-year-old performed better at AAA, but he certainly isn't a top offensive option for the Braves. He'll provide them with a defensive middle infield replacement and might pinch-hit occasionally.

The Braves promoted Gryboski in early April, and he stayed with the team until a sore elbow forced him to the DL in late July. Gryboski returned from his arm problem in mid-August but was only with the team a few days. Atlanta demoted him to clear room on the roster for the activation of Mike Remlinger from the DL, since Gryboski was reportedly dealing with a blister he'd developed while on the disabled list. Although he maintained a 2.88 ERA with the Braves, Gryboski had a 27:31 K:BB with 38 H and 4 HR allowed in 40.2 IP. Consequently, I expect Atlanta to use him mostly in low impact situations.

Remlinger injured his groin in early August but should be fine now and through the playoffs. Coincidentally, John Foster replaced Remlinger on the roster during his DL trip and then hit the disabled list himself to open up a roster spot for Gryboski's return. Foster suffered from vertigo and planned to undergo tests to determine the cause, but there have been no recent updates on his condition.

The Braves activated RHP Darren Holmes to fill the roster spot opened when Gryboski went on the DL. Holmes spent a minimum stay on the disabled list in July after he reportedly slipped on a Montreal curb and scraped the thumb on his pitching hand. He's otherwise been an important part of Atlanta's bullpen, compiling a 37:12 K:BB in 46.2 IP while allowing only 35 H and 3 HR for a 2.12 ERA.

Atlanta used Holmes' roster spot when he went on the DL to activate Albie Lopez from his second trip to the disabled list this season. Lopez experienced a sore shoulder in late June, leading to a short stint on the DL. Although he's reportedly fully healthy, Lopez has pitched infrequently this season since losing his rotation spot while on the DL with a strained groin at the beginning of the season. The strength of the rest of the Braves' bullpen, which is generally more suited to relief work than Lopez, has left him underutilized this year when he might otherwise have been able to break out under the tutelage of Atlanta pitching coach Leo Mazzone.

Tim Spooneybarger rejoined the Braves when Lopez made his second trip to the DL. The additional month-and-a-half in the minors didn't really help Spooneybarger correct his control problems, but as long as the rest of Atlanta's pen remains strong, they can allow Spooneybarger to work through his difficulties in the majors. He's managed to hold his ERA down to a 3.02 based on a 27:24 K:BB in 41.2 IP with 31 H and 3 HR allowed.

The Braves drafted Hodges out of Louisiana State University in the 17th round of the 2000 draft. After signing, he went to Jamestown in the Short-Season New York-Pennsylvania League. Hodges then spent all of 2001 at Myrtle Beach in the A+ Carolina League, and he has pitched for AAA Richmond in the International League for all of 2002. At Richmond this season, he had a 116:56 K:BB with 158 H and 9 HR allowed in 172.1 IP for a 3.19 ERA. The Braves will use him as a middle reliever and potential spot starter during this cup-of-coffee but he could join their rotation next season.

Torrealba was up for most of August after the Braves promoted him to fill the roster spot of Javy Lopez. Lopez strained his right shoulder in late July, and though his time on the DL was short, he continues to have problems with the shoulder joint. His DL trip was cut short when Henry Blanco strained a rib cage muscle in mid-August. Atlanta demoted Torrealba August 18th to make room for Blanco's return, so Torrealba's not eligible for the playoffs, a decision that may haunt them in the playoffs if Lopez continues to hurt.

Despite their strong pitching staff, the Braves likely will once again have difficulty winning games in the postseason, as the pitchers will need the offense to score at least one run for them to win a game. In order to have any chance at moving beyond the first round of the playoffs, the Braves' outfielders need to be healthy and productive, so I'm surprised that Atlanta hasn't recalled Ryan Langerhans to give them another outfielder this month, allowing Gary Sheffield and the Joneses extra rest.

Fortunately they recalled Marcus Giles in mid-August. Following his ankle injury, the Braves sent Giles to the minors rather than activate him from the DL. Giles only rejoined the team after Wes Helms bent the thumb on his right hand back, tearing ligaments, so that Helms will likely miss the rest of the season with his hand in a cast.

Matt Franco, who replaced Giles on the roster at the time of his injury, has produced exceptionally well for the team. Franco has 57 H, 12 2B, 2 3B, and 6 HR with a 19:28 BB:K and 1/1 SB % in 161 AB for a .354 BA, .420 OBP, and .565 SLG in the majors. The 33-year-old AAAA cornerman has displayed acceptable plate discipline for years with moderate power skills but rarely received the opportunity to demonstrate his skills in the majors.

Regrettably for the Braves, the other non-outfield members of their offense have not faired as well, though aside from perhaps Rafael Furcal, Atlanta never should have expected much from them. As a result, if the Braves are to succeed during the playoffs, not only must their pitching continue to excel, but Furcal and the Francos must reach base nearly 40% of the time to provide RBI opportunities for the heart of the order.