ATLANTA -- Kelly Johnson's frustration is growing, and he's starting to wonder what it will take for the pain in his right knee to disappear. For more than a year, he's had discomfort and no indication of the cause.

Before missing his second straight start in Thursday night's series finale against the Pirates at Turner Field, Johnson said that he was hoping to avoid the disabled list. But at the same time, he knows missing the next two weeks could be better than being bothered by the knee throughout a second straight season.

"I don't want to [go on the disabled list]," Johnson said. "I'd love to completely avoid it. But you'd rather miss a handful of games now instead of constantly missing games here and there throughout season.

"Maybe the answer is rest. But I had a lot of rest when the [2007] season ended."

When Johnson returned home at the conclusion of last season, he thought the offseason would provide some relief to the knee. But as Spring Training progressed this year, he continued to be bothered by a pain that he's describe by saying "feels like a knife in my knee."

Johnson had an MRI on the knee in January and again on Tuesday. With both of these tests, no structural damage was found.

Braves manager Bobby Cox indicated that he might be able to put Johnson back in the lineup for Friday night's series opener against the Mets. But if this isn't possible, Cox can at least feel good about filling these voids with Martin Prado, who capably handled his responsibilities as the second baseman and leadoff hitter during Wednesday night's win over the Pirates.

Along with providing with a first-inning leadoff triple and scoring three runs, Prado also made a nifty turn during a pivotal sixth-inning double play. Cox was impressed with the way the 24-year-old second baseman was able to quickly avoid an oncoming slide and make a pinpoint throw to first base.

"He's definitely a Major League player," Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay said. "He's put in his time at every level and proven that he can hit. He's accepted his role professionally and he's doing a good job."

Despite hitting an even .300 in five Minor League seasons, Prado is often a forgotten figure. But during the occasional appearances he's made in the Majors the past two seasons, he's built his cast of supporters.

"I'm so glad he's on this team," Chipper Jones said after Wednesday night's game. "He can help this team win a lot of ballgames, whatever his role may be."

Hearing such things from an established veteran like Jones will only help Prado, who admits he put too much pressure on himself to stick on the Major League roster last year. Consequently, he says he didn't enjoy playing the game like he should have while playing for Triple-A Richmond.

Even though he made the Opening Day roster this year as a utility player, Prado says he's still not satisfied and feels he's still putting some unnecessary pressure on himself. But at the same time, he's getting a sense that others are understanding the benefit he can bring in the Majors.

"Whenever I get a chance to play, Bobby is putting me in there," Prado said. "So I'm getting confidence from the entire team and the manager. It definitely feels good right now."