LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- During this past offseason, Blaine Boyer worked diligently to strengthen his legs with Braves strength and conditioning coach Frank Fultz. The fruits of his labor have been evident courtesy of fastballs that once again contain the zip of the ones he threw during his memorable 2005 season.

"It looks like he has his velocity back," said Braves catcher Brian McCann, who has clear memories of the dominance Boyer displayed after getting his first call to the Majors in June 2005.

During his first 33 Major League appearances, Boyer posted a 1.71 ERA and limited opponents to a .165 batting average. Some September shoulder soreness caused the right-handed reliever to end the season with a 3.11 ERA. But more importantly, it marked the first sign of what would evolve into two consecutive frustrating seasons.

Two appearances into the 2006 season, Boyer's fastball was being clocked around 86 mph and his shoulder was destined for season-ending surgery. His road to recovery took him to Triple-A Richmond last year. Now he finds himself without any remaining Minor League options but with a 96-mph fastball that could allow him to stay with his hometown Braves.

"It's a great thing to feel this way when you're out of options," said Boyer, who was raised in suburban Atlanta and has established residency there with his wife, Ginsey.

Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell has been pleased by the fact that Boyer isn't providing extra effort or strain when throwing his fastball. Along with this easy motion, the 26-year-old reliever is impressing with the movement he's getting on his curveball.

"He's as healthy as a horse," McDowell said.

Boyer knows that the Braves aren't going to keep him on their 25-man roster simply because he is out of options. Fellow right-handed reliever Chris Resop, who appears healthy and is returning from right elbow surgery, is also out of options and a viable candidate for one of the bullpen's two available spots.

With competition serving as motivation, Boyer is hopeful he'll be able to resume what he started with the Braves three years ago.

"I've always loved Atlanta, and I love the Braves organization," Boyer said. "I really don't want to play for anybody else. But in all reality, you've got to put food on the table for the family."

Mature well beyond his looks: At first glance, Brent Lillibridge still has the appearance of a teenage boy. But as he proved during his first season in the Braves organization last year, he's also still the intelligent and highly talented player who is confidently awaiting his call to the Majors.

"I told [Braves manager] Bobby [Cox] that all I care about is being with this team," said Lillibridge, whose athletic versatility will certainly help him in his aim to reach the Majors as quickly as possible.

Despite a left wrist that continuously bothered him after the beginning of May, Lillibridge hit .282 with 13 homers and 58 RBIs in 525 combined at-bats with Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Richmond last year. The 10 homers he hit in 321 at-bats with Richmond further proved the baby-faced 24-year-old shortstop has some power.

Despite Yunel Escobar's presence, Lillibridge's goal remains to play shortstop in the Majors. But first he must get there, and the fact that the offseason's rest has brought relief to his left wrist increases his chances.

If Lillibridge's wrist had been healthy sooner, the Braves would have sent him to the Mexican Winter League to learn how to play center field. While he's confident he'll prove capable of playing center over the next month, Lillibridge says he's never thought the center-field position could have been his had his wrist not been a problem. The Braves filled their center-field void in January with the acquisition of Mark Kotsay.

"They had Andruw [Jones] out there for so long," Lillibridge said. "I can totally understand why they wanted to find somebody with experience. It wasn't like I felt like I lost an opportunity. I was just an option to fill a role."

Bill James' Braves gems: Noted baseball historian and statistician Bill James has released a new annual book entitled "The Bill James Gold Mine 2008." It contains some interesting stats about a number of Braves, namely Tim Hudson and Mark Teixeira.

About Hudson, James notes that he posted a quality start in each of his 16 victories and was one of only five Major League pitchers to register 10-plus wins without receiving credit for a single victory in a non-quality start.

James also reveals that Teixeira drove in 39 Braves other than himself in his two months with the team last year. He scored Chipper Jones 13 times, Yunel Escobar 13 times and all other Braves players combined 13 times.

Cox feeling ill: Cox began battling a persistent cough on Friday and was still feeling sick. He left Disney's Wide World of Sports complex before the completion of Saturday's workout.

Because of heavy rains, Saturday afternoon's workout was conducted in the batting cages beyond the left-field wall.

Some Braves players and coaches will undergo their physicals on Sunday and the workout will begin at 1 p.m. ET.