NATIONAL LEAGUE.(team-by-team analysis)

Arizona

HEALTHY PAIR: RHP Todd Stottlemyre and SS Tony Womack, who both had surgery on September 26, say they are ready to go for spring training. Stottlemyre had a nerve in his right elbow moved--to prevent a recurrence of the tendnitis that bothered him last season--and a hernia repaired. The usually impatient Stottlemyre decided not to throw in December, although he thought he could. He has been playing long toss for about three weeks. Womack, who had a "baker's cyst" behind his left knee fixed, has been sprinting in water and jogging on land. This was the third time Womack had surgery to correct such a condition. Last year, it was part of the reason he failed to win a fourth straight N.L. stolen-base title.

FINANCIAL PLANNING: The team is talking about exercising the 2003 option on LHP Randy Johnson's contract. Johnson, the winner of the past two N.L. Cy Young Awards, will be paid $12.35 million this season and next with $6 million deferred each year. The team is interested in picking up Johnson's 2003 option in exchange for his agreeing to defer more salary over the next two years. The option, which would run past Johnson's 40th birthday, is worth $12 million but rises to $15 million if he wins the 2002 Cy Young. --Ed Price

Atlanta

HIGH HOPES: The renewed enforcement of the strike-zone roles will benefit the hard throwers: RHPs John Smoltz, Kerry Ligtenberg and Kevin Millwood and LHPs John Rocker and Mike Remlinger. With fastballs in the 93- to 98-mph range, they can work up in the zone and not get hurt. Millwood, whose ERA rose almost two runs last year, will be among the biggest beneficiaries--if umpires heed the decree.... 3B Chipper Jones built an indoor batting cage at his Texas ranch this winter and says he has used it every day. Jones is preparing, in part, for a likely move from No. 3 in the lineup to cleanup, allowing SS Rafael Furcal and 2B Quilvio Veras to hit 1 and 2 and CF Andruw Jones to bat third.

CATCHING UP: C Eddie Perez, who missed most of last year after undergoing rotator cuff surgery, began reacquainting himself with the pitching staff last week at coach Leo Mazzone's informal throwing program at Turner Field. Perez says he experienced discomfort in his shoulder recently and received a cortisone shot. But he indicated the pain has disappeared, and he has resumed throwing.... RHP Kevin McGlinchy, recovering from biceps tendinitis, says he's throwing at about 90 percent and feels no pain. --Bill Zack

Chicago