NATIONAL LEAGUE.(baseball teams)

Arizona

REVISED REPERTOIRE: In 2000, with prodding from the coaching staff, closer RHP Matt Mantel stopped throwing his curveball and used a slider as his second pitch. That helped him to a strong second half (13 saves, 1.93 ERA). Yet after Mantel arrived in camp, special adviser Roger Craig worked with him on a split-finger pitch, and pitching coach Bob Welch had him spin some curves during a game of catch. Whether Mantel uses these pitches remains to be seen; there is a question of whether he needs more pitches. The challenge for the team will be to help him with improvements while keeping them from getting too complicated.

HEAD TO HEAD: C Damian Miller is set as the starter, but it might take the next four weeks to pick his backup. Rookies Rod Barajas, Ken Huckaby and non-roster player Melvin Rosario have combined to play only 15 big-league games. Barajas, a September call-up the past two seasons, has the most power potential; Huckaby is a solid defensive catcher who never has played in the majors; and Rosario has a strong arm and brings the added dimension of being a switch hitter. Should none of them show he is ready for the majors, the team might pursue a trade for a backup catcher. --Ed Price

Atlanta

NOW OR NEVER: LHP Steve Avery says that if he sees no improvement in his performance, he'll go home and play softball rather than pitch in the minors again. Avery, 31, says his arm is recovered but can't say the same for his mechanics. His delivery is out of whack because he pitched in pain the past several years, and his patience has been tested as he searches for the proper release point and arm angle.... What the team lacks in bench power, it counters with contact hitters, speed and versatility. Dave Martinez and Kurt Abbott play all positions except pitcher and catcher. Wes Helms will back up first base and third. OF George Lombard is one of the fastest players on the team.

HEAD TO HEAD: Seven or eight candidates are battling for two remaining bullpen spots. LHP Odalis Perez has all but claimed a job, and RHP Kevin McGlinchy is a front-runner for the remaining one. He first has to convince the team his arm is healthy and his velocity has returned. Another one to watch is 6-5 RHP Billy Sylvester. He hasn't pitched above Class A ball, but he has a fastball in the mid-90s and a devastating breaking pitch that manager Bobby Cox calls a knuckle-curve. --Bill Zack

Chicago