<p>Leo Mazzone expected to enter spring training worried about the top of the Atlanta Braves pitching rotation.</p><p>Instead, the Braves' pitching coach only has to figure out the bottom of the rotation.</p><p>Make no mistake, the Braves' No. 1 starter is John Smoltz, who returns to the rotation thanks to the team's acquisition of closer Danny Kolb from the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday night.</p><p>"Smoltzie is certainly a number one starter in the National League," Mazzone said Sunday.</p><p>Smoltz has 154 saves the last four seasons, but the trade for Kolb clears the way for Smoltz to start.</p><p>The Braves have to replace at least two starters from the 2004 rotation. Russ Ortiz signed with Arizona, and Jaret Wright has reached a preliminary agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees. Ortiz and Wright each won 15 games last season, sharing the team lead.</p><p>Smoltz, Mike Hampton and John Thomson likely will enter spring training as the team's top three starters. They could be joined in the rotation by Horacio Ramirez, if the left-hander has recovered from a shoulder injury. Ramirez ranked fifth in the NL with a 2.25 ERA at the time of his injury.</p><p>The Braves may re-sign free agent Paul Byrd.</p><p>"Right now with the three guys coming out of the gate _ Smoltz, Hampton and Thomson _ who are pretty darn good, you start visualizing again one of the top rotations in the game," Mazzone said.</p><p>Smoltz enjoyed great success as a closer, setting a National League record with 55 saves in 2002 and adding 45 saves in 2003 and 44 saves in 2004.</p><p>But Smoltz began his career as a starter, winning 24 games and the Cy Young Award in 1996. In 361 career starts, Smoltz posted a 159-115 record and a 3.37 ERA.</p><p>Mazzone and Braves manager Bobby Cox knew Smoltz longed to return to the rotation.</p><p>"I think there are times when John really wished it, and we all did when we saw Roger Clemens or Randy Johnson or Curt Shilling starting against us and we wished we could match him up against them," Mazzone said.</p><p>With Smoltz in the bullpen, Tom Glavine spending the last two seasons with the New York Mets and Greg Maddux returning to the Chicago Cubs last season, the Braves were left without a clear No. 1 starter to match up with other top National League pitchers.</p><p>Smoltz, 37, has had four elbow surgeries, including two since 1999 _ the last season he was a full-time starter. But he believes that starting is less demanding on his elbow.</p><p>"I don't have any doubts that I can do this," Smoltz told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "My only concerns are going to be that I don't get too crazy and try to do too much. I'm excited. It's an incredible challenge, and I think nothing but positive things going into this."</p><p>Smoltz experienced more problems with his right elbow last season, when he missed 28 days due to tendinitis. He returned for the last two weeks of the season and the Braves' playoff loss to Houston.</p><p>Smoltz earned a win in relief in the playoffs, but he often has said he can be of more value as a starter in the postseason.</p><p>"My feeling is you've got to get to the postseason first," Mazzone said. "Let's hope we get to the postseason."</p><p>But Mazzone said he supports the move.</p><p>"I think it's great," Mazzone said. "Your bullpen is only as good as your starting rotation. If you don't have a good rotation and Smoltzie is your closer, then you're basically wasting him."</p><p>Kolb was an All-Star last season when he saved 39 games.</p><p>"I know Kolb shut us down a couple times in Milwaukee," Mazzone said. "He's got a real good sinker and split-finger fastball."</p><p>The Braves still must find a right fielder to replace departed free agent J.D. Drew.</p><p>After major budget cuts last year, the payroll is expected to remain at around $80 million for 2005.</p>
