Braves

There aren't many things former Braves manager Bobby Cox has not experienced in the baseball world. Still, there was a genuine sense of excitement in his voice when he was asked about the opportunity to manage against the Braves for the first time.

As the holiday season neared, Tommy Hanson did not seem overly concerned about his right shoulder. Since starting his throwing program in early January, the Braves pitcher has gained more reason to believe he will not have any limitations when Spring Training begins.

Craig Kimbrel does not intend to rest on his laurels or dwell on the disastrous conclusion to his memorable rookie season. In fact, it does not seem like the Braves' closer has much interest in thinking about what happened last year.

For most of last season, the Braves were as good as any team in the game and that's what they expect to be in 2012.

While hitting with Jason Heyward over the course of the past month, Chipper Jones has gained a sense that the the 22-year-old right fielder is poised to return to his 2010 form.

As his right knee provided daily discomfort through the early portion of November, Braves third baseman Chipper Jones wondered if he had already played the last game of his legendary baseball career. But as he completed preseason preparations in pain-free fashion throughout January, Jones determined it is still too early for him to be contemplating retirement.

The Braves Country Caravan, featuring Michael Bourn, Freddie Freeman and Eric O'Flaherty, bench coach Carlos Tosca, current Braves broadcaster and Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton and former Braves pitcher Greg McMichael, talked to a group of around 100 baseball and softball players from Mays, Therrell and South Atlanta high schools.

Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell is confident that both Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson will be at full strength when Spring Training begins. But he is also approaching this year's camp with the understanding that Tim Hudson might be a little behind schedule.

Through the Atlanta Braves Caravan, the team made a positive difference in the lives of some 200 youngsters on Saturday afternoon, when the Caravan kicked off its 2012 tour by making an appearance at the Jerry Clark Foundation's Fourth Annual Winter Baseball Camp.

Much has happened from the time Jason Heyward reported for his second season at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex last February. The Braves outfielder understands that hard work is at the heart of a return to form.

Unable to find an outfielder with an impact bat, the Braves will enter the 2012 season hopeful that Jason Heyward and Martin Prado will bounce back from disappointing seasons to help center fielder Michael Bourn, who provided a bit of a spark when he was acquired in July.

The Braves have placed five players on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list for the upcoming season. Julio Teheran leads this group, as he ranks fourth on the overall list. Arodys Vizcaino (36), Randall Delgado (42), Andrelton Simmons (65) and Christian Bethancourt (91) were the other prospects to appear on the list.

David Price, Jason Heyward, Mike Stanton, Buster Posey and Jeremy Hellickson were among the many recent up-and-comers to hit the ground running in the Major Leagues. Who might have such an impact in 2012? Find out Wednesday night with the unveiling of MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list.

Some of the knowledge Atlanta's Mark Lehman has gathered over the past two decades as a fan and employee was put to good use when he served as the Braves' representative on MLB Network's "Baseball IQ."

Can the Braves compete with Tyler Pastornicky at shortstop? Who will be Michael Bourn's backup? Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers these questions and more in the Inbox.

Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty will return this year to attempt to once again form one of the game's top relief trios. And the Braves' bullpen has the potential to be much deeper than it was last year.

Bethancourt among top catching prospects

The Braves have announced when and where their players and personalities will be visiting during this year's Braves Country Caravan. The team will make more than 40 stops throughout the Southeast during the event, which will run from Jan. 27-Feb. 9.

How will the Braves handle having so much up-and-coming pitching talent? Is there help for the outfield waiting in the Minors? Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers fans' questions in the latest Inbox.

Braves' Simmons ranked among top shortstops