Peter Moylan’s absence has been overshadowed by injuries to other Braves pitchers including John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Tim Hudson and Rafael Soriano.

But the Braves know how big a blow it was when the side-arming setup man was lost to a torn elbow ligament just two weeks into the season.

“When the guy’s penciled in to be your top setup guy, and he’s not there, that’s a pretty big void,” left-hander Will Ohman said. “Not only his abilities on the field, but his personality, what he did for team chemistry.”

Moylan, a gregarious Aussie sinker-baller, was the Braves’ best reliever in 2007, posting a 1.80 ERA in 90 innings over 80 appearances. The team was counting on him as its primary setup man and a backup closer in 2008.

Since giving up three runs in his first appearance of 2007, Moylan had a 1.51 ERA and .202 opponents’ average over his next 86 appearances before going on the disabled list early this season.

He pitched in only seven games this season before the elbow became too painful. Moylan’s last appearance was April 11, and he had “Tommy John” ligament-transplant surgery May 8. He began light throwing last week.

“I feel amazing,” said the heavily tattooed pitcher. “It’s just everything I’ve been doing. I feel strong. I’ve never been a guy to do shoulder exercises before this happened. I’m doing them every other day.”

Moylan traveled with Smoltz to see Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday in Birmingham, both going for scheduled follow-up exams.

“When I get back out [on the mound], it’s going to be incredible,” said Moylan, expected back in May. “Because I’ll have a rebuilt elbow and a stronger shoulder, and I’m going to be fit because I’ve had nothing else to do.”

He had Lasik eye surgery and cut his hair in a crewcut in recent months rather than continuing to conceal the thinning spot on top. “I did a pretty good job covering it up, though, didn’t I?” he said, laughing.

With the haircut and no glasses, he’s a severe-looking character. He smiles and says in his disarming accent, “The extreme makeover is almost complete.”

He remains one of the most popular and upbeat Braves players in the clubhouse. But it’s been a difficult year for Moylan, even before the injury.

He and his wife filed for divorce after last season. Their year apart had taken a toll on their relationship. She had stayed back in Australia to have their second baby during the 2007 season.

It takes one year for divorces to be finalized in Australia, so their split won’t be official until next month. The toughest part for Moylan: being away from his kids.

He has two daughters, Montana, who’ll be 8 next month, and Matisse, 1. They’ll stay in Australia with their mother. The girls’ names are tattooed on his arms.

“That’ll be the tough part,” he said of not seeing them this winter, other than for two weeks at Christmas. The rest of the time, Moylan will be in Atlanta, continuing his supervised rehab at Turner Field.

He talks quietly about how difficult it’s been, his smile gone.

“That’s the killer, staying here for the offseason,” he said. “But I’ve got the resources I need here to continue rehabbing and getting ready.”