NATIONAL LEAGUE.

Arizona

DO THE MATH: As spring training wound down, the team was a long way from picking its 25-man roster. One task was finding a fifth starter after it became clear RHP Todd Stottlemyre's weakened shoulder would create a hole in the rotation. Another was picking a backup catcher (Rod Barajas? Ken Huckaby? Melvin Rosario? a trade?). Then there's the matter of how many pitchers, infielders and outfielders to keep, and which ones. If the team goes with 11 pitchers, as seems wise with just two off days in the first 27, it can keep four from a group of seven players: 1B Erubiel Durazo, middle infielders Craig Counsell, Danny Klassen and Hanley Frias and OFs Danny Bautista, Midre Cummings and David Dellucci. Barajas' defense this spring may give him the edge over fellow rookies Huckaby and Rosario.

HEAD TO HEAD: There are four candidates to replace Stottlemyre, all righthanders: Mike Morgan, Bobby Witt, Miguel Batista and Geraldo Guzman. Picking the versatile Morgan would create a void in the bullpen. Batista's strong outing against the Giants (five innings, one hit) may have moved him ahead. Guzman has been impressive at times, but he has options remaining. Witt started out well in spring but faded. --Ed Price

Atlanta

BAD NEWS BRAVES: Problems are mounting for the club. Backup C Eddie Perez will miss the season because of shoulder surgery, and RHP John Smoltz may open on the disabled list because of tendinitis in his right elbow. As if that wasn't enough, RHP Kevin Millwood's spring struggles remain a concern, 3B Chipper Jones' sore left thumb and inefficient swing have limited his production, and C Javy Lopez probably will miss the first week with a fractured finger.... Smoltz's setback had a domino effect on the rotation. Without Smoltz, RHP John Burkett will be the No. 4 starter, and LHP Odalis Perez, who was to open the season in the bullpen, will slide into the No. 5 spot.

HEAD TO HEAD: Manager Bobby Cox may carry 12 arms, rather than his usual 11. That opens another job in the bullpen. RHP Jason Marquis already has won a spot. With an impressive spring, RHP Chris Seelbach has put himself in position to take another job. That leaves RHPs Marc Valdes, Joe Slusarski, Matt Whiteside and LHP Steve Avery fighting for the remaining two spots with no clear front-runner. Valdes, Slusarski and Avery have struggled at times, and Whiteside has been slowed by an injury. --Bill Zack

Chicago