91.   Trying to save money on their payroll, teams often skimp on middle relievers.

92.   While Kennedy praised his hitters, he saved most of his kudos for middle reliever Rich Garces, called up Wednesday from Pawtucket when Joe Hudson was demoted.

93.   While Oates would not specify which bullpen hurler might be on the bubble, middle reliever Gil Heredia has been struggling of late.

94.   Whiteside, a career middle reliever, replaces the injured Julio Santana, who was replacing the injured Roger Pavlik.

95.   Without naming names, Garagiola said he might be interested in obtaining an outfielder and possibly a middle reliever.

96.   Without a designated hitter in the games played in Atlanta, middle relievers will be significant.

97.   All-Star catcher Javy Lopez, middle reliever Rudy Seanez and fifth starter Odalis Perez were sidelined with injuries.

98.   Earlier this week, the Astros acquired middle relievers Nelson Cruz and Doug Brocail in a six-player deal with the Detroit Tigers.

99.   Hammonds was a backup outfielder last season and Belinda was a middle reliever after coming back from a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

100.   He was signed in the offseason as a middle reliever and spot starter.