Worth noting

• The side session Paul Maholm completed on Tuesday provided the Braves more encouragement than the one he completed on Monday. Maholm, who has been sidelined since July 20 with a bruised left wrist, will throw more side sessions before making what will be at least one Minor League rehab start.

• Gerald Laird is expected to either play for Class A Rome or at least take batting practice with the club on Wednesday. Laird has been recovering from the procedure he underwent late last week to remove a kidney stone. The backup catcher is expected to play with Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday. He could be activated from the disabled list as early as Saturday.