Few questions linger as season approaches

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Although Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has not made it official yet, his roster is virtually set.

He will carry 12 pitchers, including seven relievers, and the only question remaining is whether Jason Marquis or rookie Horacio Ramirez will replace Paul Byrd as the No. 4 starter.

Marquis probably provided the answer with a horrible performance Monday night against the Cleveland Indians. Facing a Cleveland lineup batting a collective .311 this spring, he opened the game by allowing the first 10 hitters to reach base with five singles, two doubles and three walks, good for six runs. He also surrendered a three-run home run to Matt Lawton, and by the time he got three outs, the Indians led 10-0.

After Marquis gave up another three-run homer to Lawton in the third, his line read: 3 IP, 12 H, 13 R.

There are also two spots to be filled in the bullpen. John Smoltz, Darren Holmes, Ray King, former USC Aiken standout Roberto Hernandez, and Kevin Gryboski have jobs, and Cox is likely to add rookie left-hander Jung Bong. The last job will likely go to 31-year-old rookie Joe Dawley, although he will probably stay only until Byrd is activated from the disabled list.

Besides Ramirez, Bong is the spring's most pleasant surprise. He has produced a 1.81 ERA while holding opponents to a .211 average.

"He's got good stuff," Cox said. "His changeup has really come on."

Cox and his coaches met with general manager John Schuerholz on Monday afternoon to evaluate the roster and discuss the team's needs. Schuerholz has been talking to other clubs, but a trade is unlikely.

LITTLE BIT OF A STRETCH: Cox remains solidly in third baseman Vinny Castilla's corner, despite a .190 batting average and no hint of power. Castilla has as many errors (1) this spring as extra-base hits. In 42 at-bats, he has struck out six times and rolled into four double plays.

"His average isn't good, but he's hitting the ball hard," Cox insisted. "I think he's swinging better."

There's little evidence to support that view. Castilla's .214 slugging percentage and .200 on-base percentage are easily the worst among the Braves regulars. To most observers, Castilla's swing is a duplicate of the stroke that produced a .232 average and 61 RBI last year.

Castilla is the likely Opening Day starter because Cox likes his glovework. But with Mark DeRosa on the bench, how long will Cox stick with Castilla if he gets off to a slow start?

PRACTICAL JOKER: When Chipper Jones opened the clubhouse door Monday afternoon, he was greeted by the sight of a cardboard headstone resting in front of his locker. On the floor was a taped outline of an gator, an obvious reference to Jones' allegiance to the University of Florida.

A message on the headstone read: "R.I.P. Florida Gators. Never suffered, never knew what hit them."

The culprit behind the prank? Smoltz, of course, whose Michigan State Spartans thumped Jones' Florida Gators in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

"I was totally expecting it," said an amused Jones of Smoltz's handiwork. "It was not a shock."

EXTRA BASES: Cox refuses to be pinned down on his Opening Day lineup, but it's clear he intends to bat his first baseman, Robert Fick or Julio Franco, in the No. 2 spot, and follow Andruw Jones, the No. 5 hitter, with Javy Lopez, Castilla, and Marcus Giles. ... While Byrd was scrutinized in a two-inning outing against minor leaguers Monday afternoon, his first start since March 4, Holmes and Gryboski went largely unnoticed on an adjoining field. The two relievers each pitched an inning for Class A Rome. ... Cox plans to give the team a day off Sunday after playing two exhibition games against the Boston Red Sox this weekend in Atlanta. "I'll give them a chance to take a breather," he said. The Braves open the regular season at Turner Field on Monday afternoon against the Montreal Expos.