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"I'm disappointed," second baseman Kelly Johnson said. "You can look at all the injuries we've had and say it's pretty good to be where we are. But when you look at the team we had coming out of Spring Training, it's disappointing that we've had that many obstacles and not many good things happening."

As they turn the page and prepare for the season's second half, the Braves still have some reasons for hope. While Smoltz and right-handed reliever Peter Moylan have been lost to season-ending surgeries, Mike Hampton is at least giving some indication that he'll pitch again, and Glavine is hoping to do so as well.

If the pitching staff is healthier in the second half, Atlanta seemingly has the offense to make some noise down the stretch. But even the Braves' potent lineup has proven inconsistent. Mark Teixeira got off to his customary slow start. He'll likely get hot as the summer progresses. But the offense's potential won't be fully realized unless Mark Kotsay's back and Jeff Francoeur's bat prove healthier than they were during the season's first half.

With Francoeur enduring a career-worst slump that led to him being sent to Double-A Mississippi, the Braves' outfield possessed very little power. Wren will evaluate this year's trade market in search of a power-hitting corner outfielder who would be around beyond this season.

"We are looking to add some power, and outfield is a spot where we may have the ability to do that," Wren said. "We're just going to continue looking at all of the options in an attempt to improve the club."

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