Worth noting

• Tim Hudson joined his teammates in the clubhouse before Sunday's game, and he will accompany the Braves as they attempt to clinch the National League East over the course of a six-game road trip through Washington and Chicago this week. Hudson was cleared earlier this week to get out of the boot protecting his right ankle, but he won't be able to begin the majority of his rehab activities until October, when he will have a screw removed from the ankle.

Will he impart any wisdom on the young standouts in the rotation that have helped cut Atlanta's magic number to four entering Sunday?

"They're doing pretty daggum good right now," Hudson said. "I don't want to mess them up."

• Paul Maholm was relieved to evade any serious elbow issues when a contrast MRI exam taken last Wednesday revealed no structural damage after the left-hander had felt pain going back to his Aug. 28 start against Cleveland. Due to Freddy Garcia getting the start on Tuesday in Washington and Thursday's off-day, Maholm will be able to start Friday's series opener in Chicago against his former team with two additional days' rest.