New York — Oft-injured Mike Hampton made it through a rehab start against Class AAA Norfolk without incident Friday. The veteran left-hander pitched three innings and allowed three hits, no runs and one walk with three strikeouts.

The Braves reported that Hampton threw 32 strikes in 50 pitches and felt good. He's recovering from a strained pectoral muscle and will make at least one more rehab start before he's activated from the DL.

Stockman arrives from Richmond

Aussie reliever Phil Stockman was recalled from Class AAA Richmond to take the roster spot of Chuck James, who was optioned to Richmond after pitching five innings (four runs, four hits, five walks) in Thursday's win against Florida.

The Braves wanted to get a fresh arm in the bullpen, and didn't need to keep James up with Glavine returning to the rotation Tuesday.

Stockman was 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA and a save in six relief appearances at Richmond, where the 6-foot-8 right-hander had 14 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings.

Soriano says he's close

Closer Rafael Soriano hasn't throw from a mound since April 6, but he said he'll be ready for the Braves' two-game series at Washington that starts Tuesday.

Soriano has been playing catch on flat ground for nearly two weeks, and said he's confident he'll be ready to go after he throws from the bullpen mound once this weekend at Shea Stadium. No minor-league rehab stint required, he said.

"We'll see," manager Bobby Cox said of Soriano's optimistic timetable for his return at Washington. "Hopefully."

Kotsay: One more day

Mark Kotsay said his stiff neck felt better Friday, but Cox wanted to give the center fielder one more day of rest. Rookie Gregor Blanco was batting .409 (9-for-22) before Friday, when he made a second consecutive start in center.