NATIONAL LEAGUE.(baseball teams)

Arizona

GETTING BACK ON TRACK: RHP Todd Stottlemyre, aiming to rebound from elbow surgery by opening day, threw batting practice for almost 15 minutes last week. Stottlemyre threw fastballs, curves and changeups to some farmhands. Before that, Stottlemyre had not thrown more than 27 pitches this spring without a break of a few minutes. Stottlemyre's curveball was sharp, and his fastball was good. He was somewhat dissatisfied with his control.... RHP Curt Schilling threw seven or eight "new" curveballs in a 2 2/3-inning outing last week. Schilling wants to incorporate a more vertical, sharper-breaking curveball into his repertoire and says that this is the time to experiment.

HEAD TO HEAD: Three candidates are battling for two reserve infield spots. Craig Counsell, Hanley Frias and Danny Klassen are all out of minor league options, meaning the odd man out probably will end up on another team. Counsell, 30, a lefthanded hitter, makes decent contact and plays second but also can handle shortstop and third base. Klassen, 25, has the best power potential. Frias, 27, is a switch hitter, and he's probably the best pure shortstop of the three. But his offensive ability is limited. --Ed Price

Atlanta

DEAL MAKER? RF Brian Jordan was mentioned frequently in possible trades for Dodgers OF Gary Sheffield. Though Sheffield rescinded his demands, Jordan still needs to prove he's healthy after winter surgeries on both shoulders before the Dodgers or anyone else would be willing to take him. Jordan has been the DH in two games and swung the bat effectively, but soreness in his right shoulder is preventing him from throwing hard.... The Braves were apparently willing to sweeten the Jordan pot with LHP John Rocker, indicating the team is satisfied that LHP Odalis Perez, who has been sharp in two appearances, is healthy and that RHP Kerry Ligtenberg can assume closing duties.

HEAD TO HEAD: Manager Bobby Cox and his coaches agree that SS Mark DeRosa is the most improved player in camp. DeRosa hit .292 with 35 RBIs in 101 games at Class AAA Richmond last season and has shown soft hands and better range defensively, plus a shorter, quicker swing at the plate. The problem for DeRosa is veteran IF Kurt Abbott, who can play several positions and is an experienced pinch hitter. With Abbott on the bench, it's likely DeRosa will start the season at Richmond and wait for an opening. --Bill Zack

Chicago