Back end of Braves bullpen will be key

Make-or-Break The three relievers at the back end of the Braves bullpen have all had major elbow surgery within the last two years — closer Mike Gonzalez in May of 2007, Peter Moylan in May of 2008 and Rafael Soriano in August of 2008. If all three prove healthy, the Braves have a formidable bullpen. If not, it’s another story.

Of the three, Soriano has given the Braves most cause for worry this spring, battling an upper respiratory infection and then a strained side. Soriano pitched only 14 innings last year before undergoing ulnar-nerve transposition surgery. Moylan will be only 11 months removed from elbow reconstruction surgery on Opening Day but has pitched well in spring training and aims to be ready. Gonzalez is heading into his first full season coming off elbow reconstruction and looking to build on his 14-save season last year. His velocity has improved in recent weeks and with a little more adrenaline, he expects to get back to the dominant form that saw him post 39 consecutive saves, dating back to his days as a Pirate.

Three other things to watch

1. How much will the new rotation help the bullpen? Last year Braves relievers finished third in the majors in innings pitched with 554 1/3 behind Texas (572 2/3) and Pittsburgh (567 2/3). Among the overworked were Blaine Boyer (72 2/3) and Jeff Bennett (80 2/3) who wore down late. But with four innings eaters in the rotation, and pitchers like Boyer a year more experienced, the bullpen has a chance to be much better.

2. Will Kris Medlen make an impact on the bullpen this season? Manager Bobby Cox has raved about the 22-year-old right-hander all spring, and now he has a good chance to pitch in the major leagues. He’s a quick worker, with a 92 mph fastball and good command, and he is aggressive with all three of his pitches.

3. Will Boone Logan and/or Eric O’Flaherty be the answer as the left-handed specialist? Logan, who came over in the Javier Vazquez trade, went 2-3 with a 5.95 ERA in 55 games for the White Sox last year. He carried a 1.95 ERA on July 9 but allowed 24 runs (21 earned) in his last 19 outings. O’Flaherty made the Opening Day roster for Seattle last year only to give up 15 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings while dealing with lower back problems.