Looking to bolster their bench, the Braves claimed backup infielder Ruben Gotay from the Mets on Friday.

The 25-year-old switch-hitting Gotay played 98 games for the Mets last year, hitting .295 with four homers and 24 RBIs. He has played second base, third base and some shortstop in his three years in the majors with the Royals and Mets.

An endorsement from Tom Glavine, who played with Gotay (pronounced Go-tie) last year, helped his cause.

"I think he's just the kind of guy that when he gets into games, he's going to battle," said Glavine, who watched Gotay hit .349 (15-for-43) in "close and late" situations last year.

"I just remember last year it seemed like whether it was a spot start for a David Wright or for Luis Castilla down the stretch when Luis got banged up — it seemed like every time he got in a game, he got two hits," Glavine continued. "When he was in a game, he never did anything to hurt you, and more times than not, did a number of things to help you win a game."

Gotay hit .235 (4-for-17) this spring with the Mets but had a .435 on-base percentage thanks to six walks. But he was beaten out for a job by Fernando Tatis. Since he was out of options, the Mets had to put him on waivers, and the Braves claimed him.

Gotay gives the Braves an experienced bat to help bridge the gap until utility player Omar Infante returns in late April from a broken hand.

Gotay hit .288 as a pinch-hitter last year and .318 vs right-handed pitching (though only .181 vs. lefties). He played 37 games last year at second base, five at shortstop and two at third base.

"His experience and pinch hitting — he did a good job last year," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "Obviously he knows the division. All those things are very helpful."

Gotay was expected to join the Braves Saturday morning.

Thorman sent down to Richmond

Scott Thorman cleared waivers Friday — meaning no other team claimed him — so the Braves could outright him to AAA Richmond. Because Thorman is out of options, he had to be made available to any team that wanted him before the Braves could send him to the minor leagues.

Thorman didn't contribute much off the bench last year as a backup first baseman (.216, 11 home runs, 36 RBIs in 120 games) and didn't hit well this spring (.176, 2 HR, 10 RBIs), but the Braves hope he can work his way back.

"We like the fact that we still have Scott in the organization, and we feel like him going to AAA and getting a lot of at-bats will help him get back on track," Wren said of the former first-round draft pick, who is a career .222 hitter.

Thorman left the ballpark early Friday and was not available for comment.

Thorman also will be available to come back up in the event that Mark Teixeira needs a stretch of games off at first base. In the meantime, the Braves have several players to fill in as backup first basemen.

"We've got a few guys who can go back there — Matt Diaz, [Mark] Kotsay," Wren said. "Gotay probably could. [Martin] Prado probably could. I don't know that they've done it. But [manager] Bobby [Cox] feels comfortable where if we got in a situation, we could give those guys a crash course."

James available if Smoltz isn't

Chuck James will not go to Richmond to open the season. He'll open the season on the disabled list with the idea that he'll get ready in case he needs to fill in for John Smoltz on Sunday, April 6, vs. the Mets.

Smoltz is starting the season on the disabled list with a sore shoulder (trapezius muscle). With an off day next week, the Braves plan to skip a fifth starter and get Smoltz in the second time through the rotation that Sunday vs. the Mets. If he isn't ready, the Braves want James ready.

James rested a torn rotator cuff over the winter and was brought along slowly this spring, pitching mostly in minor-league games. But his arm strength and command have been good.

James is scheduled to throw a simulated game in Rome on Tuesday, which is a few days before the Class A Rome Braves start their season. Then he'll rejoin the parent club and remain on the roster until Sunday, when a decision will be made on Smoltz.

Hampton goes Saturday

Mike Hampton starts for the Braves in another exhibition game against the Indians at Turner Field Saturday. He'll face Cleveland right-hander Jake Westbrook.