NATIONAL LEAGUE.(baseball teams and players)

Arizona

IRON WILLS: Manager Bob Brenly says he wants ace RHP Randy Johnson out of games earlier at times to save his arm. Johnson, who led the N.L. in pitches thrown and complete games the past two seasons while winning two Cy Young Awards, wants no part of it. After going 15-2 with a 2.01 ERA through late July, Johnson was 4-5 with a 3.80 ERA over his final 14 starts. But he insists that had nothing to do with his workload.

UNKNOWN NO MORE: Because of 1B Erubiel Durazo's excellent play this winter, the team is counting on him to make the roster rather than having to play his way onto it. When the club signed 1B Mark Grace, part of the reason was that Durazo--hampered by right wrist problems through 2000--was an unknown. But Durazo hit .388 with three homers and 20 RBIs in 21 games for Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League and was named Caribbean World Series MVP (.455, three homers and 10 RBIs in six games). He will be used as a pinch hitter and will get a look in the outfield, although his arm and speed seem to be a poor fit there. Keeping Durazo means Brenly might go with only four true outfielders. That means Danny Bautista or Midre Cummings will be squeezed out. --Ed Price

Atlanta

INJURY FEAR: SS Rafael Furcal's left shoulder concerns the team. Furcal, the Rookie of the Year last season, hurt the shoulder two years ago at Class A Macon and reinjured it in December while making a headfirst slide in winter ball in his native Dominican Republic. Doctors examined him, prescribed rest and exercise, and gave him a clean bill of health, although they advised him that the injury to his rotator cuff eventually might require surgery. Manager Bobby Cox is afraid Furcal might not be able to stay healthy for the whole season and is trying to get Furcal to slide feetfirst to prevent injury. Furcal will strengthen the area with exercises and will try to keep contact with his shoulder to a minimum.

COMING ON STRONG: Reliever RHP Kevin McGlinchy has quietly put himself in position to win a bullpen spot After missing most of 2000 with biceps tendinitis, he is throwing pain-free and is encouraged by his velocity and command. The work of RHP John Smoltz and LHP Odalis Perez has strengthened Cox's conviction that the rotation and bullpen will be stronger, but McGlinchy's comeback has received little attention. If he can recapture his 1999 form, the club will have one of the league's best and deepest bullpens. --Bill Zack

Chicago