1.   Carlos Reyes, working to earn a spot in the starting rotation, has one of the better change-ups in the league.

2.   If the starting rotation has five right-handers, there likely will be three left-handers in the bullpen.

3.   Although he still wore a brace on his right knee, Martinez said Thursday he was healthy enough to return to the starting rotation.

4.   Already in a quandary over Rocker and his offensive remarks, the Braves disclosed Wednesday that a large hole has developed in their vaunted starting pitching rotation.

5.   Already this season, the Dodgers have lost Ramon Martinez, Hideo Nomo and Ismael Valdes from the starting rotation.

6.   Also, Evans is hopeful of signing a veteran pitcher to a one-year contract to help the starting rotation.

7.   Although rookie Markus Steele has taken his spot in the starting rotation, Hambrick recently schooled Steele on proper positioning and techniques.

8.   Amid talk of starting rotations and lineups, bullpens and home run records, labor strife and discord promise to provide an undercurrent too strong to ignore.

9.   And after that, Woodward and Piniella had to make a decision to lock up a starting rotation.

10.   An exiled starter with a history of not getting any run support, Candiotti has come back to the starting rotation on a fill-in basis.