It didn't necessarily mean anything, but when I was asking some of the team's management and players if they felt they were seeing Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz in uniform together for one last time last week, I kept getting the, "You never know what might happen" response.

Like I said, this didn't exactly mean anything. But at the same time, it provided the reminder that you should never say never. If the Braves found a way to trade for Maddux, they would be doing so because they felt he could help and not just to create a nice story.

Based on the way he's pitching, Maddux is still capable of helping the Braves and every other Major League team. He has posted a 2.52 ERA in his past four starts. His only bad outing came on April 18, when he resumed his career-long struggles against the Diamondbacks. In his other eight starts this year, he's posted a 2.30 ERA.

With John Smoltz likely going to the bullpen, what are the Braves going to do about the rotation? Will they keep Jo-Jo Reyes in it and go after someone for the fifth spot, or use Jeff Bennett or Buddy Carlyle?
-- Jon L., Millbrook, Ala.

As these injuries continue to mount, there's reason to once again marvel at the fact that the Braves won 14 consecutive division titles. Somewhere along that line, they were supposed to encounter something like this. Well, maybe not to this extent.

The Braves will say they've stayed alive until this point because of the depth of their pitching staff. While that might be true, the stable of starters has reached the point where it's unclear who might handle the rotation's final two spots for the rest of the season.

Of course, the Braves also have to keep their fingers crossed and just hope Jair Jurrjens, Tom Glavine and Tim Hudson remain healthy and provide stability at the front end of the rotation.

There's at least reason to believe Jo-Jo Reyes has gained the confidence and maturity to remain at the big league level. As long as he throws strikes, he has the stuff to serve as a reliable starter and the potential to be a top-caliber starter in the future.

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The fifth spot in the rotation could be handled by Jeff Bennett or Chuck James. I've reached a point where I'm ready to dismiss any possibility of Mike Hampton ever returning to the rotation. I don't think it's a matter of desire. It's more the reality that his body is simply breaking down.

It looks like manager Bobby Cox likes Bennett's versatility in the bullpen, and James hasn't exactly given the Braves reason to confidently count on him for the rest of the season. Although he has won 11 games both of the past two years, it's still easy to wonder if there are better options.

The best option in the Minor Leagues is Charlie Morton, who is having a strong season for Triple-A Richmond. But if the Braves decide to stick to the plan of allowing him to mature for at least a couple more months, there's certainly a chance that general manager Frank Wren will be navigating the trade market for another starter.

With a lot of the Braves' bad luck (walk-off home run in the opener, Smoltz's injury, etc.) happening in the new navy uniforms, is there any chance they will be discontinued? I hope the answer is yes. I think they're hideous!
-- Damian K., New Rockford, N.D.

This past weekend I walked into the clubhouse and was somewhat shocked that they had chosen to wear the jerseys again. Of course, because he was starting, it was the choice of Jurrjens, who is one of the few Braves who have been able to avoid a multitude of personal frustrations.

Not only are the Braves losing games while wearing these jerseys, it feels like they're also losing bodies in the process. Even one of the wins they had while wearing these jerseys came at the cost of Peter Moylan, who blew his elbow out while recording a save that night.

I haven't heard that these jerseys will be put to rest, but if they continue to bring this kind of misfortune, I'd suggest the Braves either burn them or drop them in the Ohio River before leaving Pittsburgh.

When are the Braves going to admit a mistake and let Mike Hampton go? This guy sneezes and he's on the DL. I think it's obvious to any baseball fan that this guy no longer has anything left.
-- Loren A., Raleigh, N.C.

This question has been popular for three years and the only previous response was that the Braves would still have to pay Hampton even if they cut him. While this remains true, it has finally reached a point where I've at least wondered if the Braves would be better served to release him to eliminate the uncertainty over what amounts to comeback after comeback.

But at the same time, they could certainly benefit from his presence if he's ever able to prove healthy enough to pitch again. While this might seem to be a far-fetched fantasy to some, it's at least something the Braves would like to keep as a possibility.

I always hear about injured players making rehab starts in "Extended Spring Training" games. What are those?
-- John P., Spartanburg, S.C.

Basically, if you're injured when the season begins, you can stay back at the club's Spring Training complex to continue your rehab. Players will stay there until they're pretty sure they've returned to health. A primary reason Mike Gonzalez has remained there so long this year is the fact that you can only remain on a Minor League rehab assignment for one month. The Braves don't think he'll need nearly that much time. But at the same time, they just want to make sure before taking him out of extended Spring Training.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.