Maddux Is Expected to Make Next Start

Atlanta Brave right-hander Greg Maddux, who faced only two batters in his most recent start because of a hyperextended elbow, said he felt much better Monday and expects to pitch as scheduled Thursday.

“I feel good,” the four-time Cy Young Award winner said. “I think it was a freak thing.”

Maddux, who has been undergoing ultrasound treatment, threw softly in the bullpen for 10 minutes Monday and said he felt no recurrence of the injury.

He is scheduled to pitch the final game of a four-game series against the Florida Marlins.

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Marlin second baseman Luis Castillo will miss the rest of the season because of a sprained left ankle sustained Saturday while running the bases in Philadelphia.

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The Chicago Cubs will be without closer Tom Gordon for at least one more series and infielder Ron Coomer for the rest of the season, according to ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago.

Gordon, a right-hander who experienced soreness in his pitching elbow Sunday, returned to Chicago and will be examined by a team physician. He underwent “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow and missed the entire 2000 season.

Coomer reportedly will undergo surgery this week to remove a floating bone chip in his left knee.

The Boston Red Sox called up right-hander Willie Banks from triple-A Pawtucket and moved ace Pedro Martinez to the 60-day disabled list. ... Texas Ranger pitcher Justin Thompson, who has not pitched in a major league game since 1999 because of shoulder problems, will undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday.