The Braves hope to get much-needed help from veteran pitcher Mike Hampton. He's scheduled to finally make his season debut with a May 10 start at Pittsburgh after two more rehab starts, including one Wednesday for Richmond.

The oft-injured lefty is recovering from a strained left pectoral (chest) muscle, and said he could still feel some discomfort where he was injured.

"I hope I'll be ready," said Hampton, who hasn't pitched in a major-league game in 32 months because of injuries and two elbow surgeries. "I feel [the pectoral strain] some on every pitch. I'd be lying if I said I didn't.

"If it doesn't get any worse, I'll be fine."