Greg

Maddux

The Braves are making the move because Paul Byrd is expected to start on Thursday.

''I’m fine,’' Maddux said. ''I feel good. I’m just not throwing it where I want to, and they’re not missing. My location is terrible, and when your location is terrible, it’s tough to pitch. When asked if there are adjustments he could make, Maddux said, ''I don’t think there’s one I haven’t made. Just go pitch, that’s the only way to get any better.’' Maddux owners probably wish he was hurt or that he hadn’t yet tried making adjustments -- at least then there would be an excuse. It remains inconceivable that Maddux will continue to pitch this poorly. His next start comes Sunday at Florida (the Braves are using a four-man rotation), so those with weekly transactions will have to tough it out and hope for a quick turnaround.

Maddux didn’t want to wait until Tuesday to get back on the mound. This also means he gets to start in pitcher-friendly Pro Player Stadium, and will not have to pitch in San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium next week.

After going 0-3 with an 11.05 ERA in his first three starts, Maddux went 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA over his next five, but then 0-2 with a 7.41 ERA in his past three. He gave up seven earned runs to the Reds in his last start and allowed his 11th home run. That’s three shy of last season’s total. His first-inning woes continue, giving up 19 of his 48 runs and a .358 average in the first inning.

Maddux wants more work, so he’ll get it. The plan appears to be for Russ Ortiz to follow Maddux in the rotation and for Ramirez to start Saturday.

At the moment, Maddux is expected to face the Phillies on Friday, but that could change if he’s not 100 percent.

A report on ESPN Radio 1000 yesterday that Maddux had narrowed his choices to the Cubs and Cardinals appears to be bogus. If he has any offers on the table right now, the teams are doing a nice job of keeping it quiet.

The Cubs appear to be the leading candidates to sign Maddux, but the Mets could offer more money. Even if they don’t get Maddux, the team is likely to pick up one starter, allowing Aaron Heilman to return to Triple-A.

The Padres want to see some of the other teams max out their payroll before they start the bidding on Maddux. “Certainly, we have an interest in Greg Maddux,” GM Kevin Towers said. “With his experience and ability, he would be a great addition. I’d be quite comfortable seeing him out on the mound in Petco Park. But with the situation I have, it’s better for us to be patient. If we wait a couple weeks, some other teams may have spent their dollars on an Andy Pettitte or Kevin Millwood.”

“Maddux is a stretch,” said Towers. “We have interest. But with what we have to spend, we have to wait. Our best chance is for the market to dry up.” San Diego currently appears to be Maddux’s most likely destination, but that could change if either the Dodgers trade pitching or the Giants dump some salary.