Braves head trainer Jeff Porter might get more work in a half-hour or so Tuesday afternoon than in 15 innings when he served as a National League trainer at last week's All-Star Game.

That's because lefties Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton are to throw bullpen sessions Tuesday.

The veterans are trying to come back from injuries, Glavine from a partial tear of the flexor tendon near his elbow and Hampton from a groin injury, the latest in a litany of ailments that have kept him from any major-league game for 35 months.

Glavine hopes to return in mid-August, but won't know if that's realistic until he throws hard off the mound to test the elbow.

Hampton, after his repeated frustrations, said he's not going to predict a return date. Instead he'll throw his bullpen session, see how it feels, then hopefully move forward.

Last week, he strained his left groin in what was to have been his final rehab start before rejoining the Braves. It was the third time this season Hampton got hurt in either his final scheduled rehab start (that's happened twice) or in his actual warmup before a start (that happened during opening week)....

Meanwhile, Jeff Bennett required only five pitches to throw one inning (one hit) in the first game of a rehab assignment for Class A Myrtle Beach on Monday. He's coming back from a sore shoulder.

Escobar penciled in for Tuesday

Shortstop Yunel Escobar missed his seventh consecutive start Monday, but is scheduled to return to the lineup Tuesday after putting his left shoulder through a rigorous workout at Dolphin Stadium.

Escobar has been sidelined nearly two weeks since reinjuring his jammed rotator cuff in his non-throwing shoulder, and Sunday Cox said the shortstop took batting practice in Atlanta and would start the series opener at Florida.

Turns out, Escobar only hit for 15 minutes Sunday, just soft-tossed balls and off a tee. All parties agreed he should take a full batting practice Monday to make sure the shoulder held up to the stress.

He hit with two different groups and drove one towering fly over the 434 (feet) sign in center field.