ATLANTA - It's certainly not a highly classified secret that the downtrodden Atlanta Braves could use some sort of spark.

Why couldn't it be the promotion from Triple-A Richmond of hot-hitting Scott Thorman? That's what fellow Canadian Pete Orr wondered aloud Sunday after the Braves called up the hulking outfielder-first baseman.

After all, Thorman had 15 home runs and was batting .324 in 66 games with the R-Braves.

"The way things are going, he definitely can't hurt," Orr said, referring to the team losing 16 of 19 entering Sunday night's game against Boston.

Consistent of manager Bobby Cox's style of getting young guys' feet wet immediately, Thorman was in the lineup for his major-league debut against the Red Sox, playing left field and hitting third in the order.

He struck out on a high fastball from Red Sox ace Curt Schilling in his first at-bat.

Thorman, 24, considers himself a "work in progress" in the outfield after coming through the Braves' minor-league system as a first baseman.

He started eight games in left and one in right this year with Richmond. Prior to that, though, he'd had no outfield experience in his life.

"The more I play out there, the more comfortable I feel," said Thorman, adding that he thinks it made him more marketable to the big-league club.

HORACIO THROWS: Horacio Ramirez threw three simulated innings with some agility drills mixed in Sunday to test his noggin a week after he was creamed by a Lance Berkman line drive in Houston.

Cox said he expects Ramirez to be ready to face Toronto on Thursday. Ramirez expects the same.

FEELING BETTER: Ryan Langerhans and third baseman Chipper Jones said they felt better Sunday, but both were still out of the starting lineup.

Langerhans said his strained hip flexor is feeling close to 100 percent. Jones' sore right thumb felt "fine," he said between swings during batting practice.

Reach R. Travis Haney at travis.haney@morris.com.