LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Given what he experienced last year, Braves manager Bobby Cox isn't ready to get overly enthusiastic about his bullpen. But he certainly understands why it has the potential to be a key to his team's success this year.

"A lot depends on Gonzo [Mike Gonzalez], [Peter] Moylan and [Rafael] Soriano," Cox said. "If they're all healthy, then it becomes a very deep bullpen."

At this time last year, it appeared Atlanta had the potential to have a strong bullpen. But that was before an injury-depleted starting rotation led to the fatigue of an overworked relief corps that essentially lost its top two members less than two full weeks into the season.

"It was rough," Braves right-handed reliever Blaine Boyer said. "We had bullpen guys going into the rotation. We had guys going ... it was just a rough situation."

Few had it rougher than Boyer, whose 5.88 ERA in 2008 was a product of the fatigue he experienced while making a career-high 76 appearances -- 19 more than during any of his previous professional seasons. This provides some explanation about why he posted a 3.93 ERA in an eye-opening 51 appearances before last year's All-Star break and an 11.27 ERA in the 25 appearances that followed.

"I think Blaine is going to be fine," Atlanta All-Star catcher Brian McCann said. "Last year, he got off to an unbelievable start. Then the last two months, he struggled, just because he was the go-to guy every night. There were stretches last year when he was unhittable."

The fatigue Boyer and his fellow relievers endured last year came from the fact that Braves starters completed just 886 1/3 innings -- second fewest in the National League. Consequently, the Atlanta bullpen totaled the second-most innings with 554 1/3.

"As starters, we just didn't our jobs," said Jair Jurrjens, who produced a team-high 188 innings, while serving as the only member of the original starting rotation who didn't land on the disabled list last year.

With the dawn of a new season, Boyer is among the teammates who believe this year's bullpen has a chance to be one of the NL's best.

Along with the improved health that Moylan and Soriano have gained, this year's relief corps will benefit from the acquisitions of Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez, a pair of starters who have consistently completed 200-inning seasons throughout their careers.

"Our starting rotation is solid as a rock," Boyer said. "You've got guys who are going to go out and give you miles. You've got a bullpen that from the top to the bottom has solid, solid arms that can get the job done in any situation.

"But [the bullpen's] potential success really stems from the starters, because you have the hosses in the rotation that can get you into the seventh or eighth inning on any given day. That's huge."

If the new-look rotation is able to keep a lead through six innings with a lead this year, the Braves are confident that they have the pieces in Moylan, Soriano and Gonzalez to end some of the late-inning misfortunes they experienced last season -- when they won just 11 of the 41 one-run games they played.

Gonzalez returned from Tommy John elbow ligament transplant surgery midway through last season. With a feeling that he's fully regained his pre-surgery arm strength, the veteran left-hander is looking forward to the opportunity to prove why he has the potential to be one of the game's top closers.

"Not just anybody can go out there and [be a closer]," Gonzalez said. "You've seen guys who have been the best setup guys in the game, but once they go into that closer's role, they can't get it done. It's definitely a whole different mentality out there."

After beginning 2008 as Cox's closer, Soriano began feeling increased right elbow discomfort and went on the disabled list during the season's second week. Now he'll be expected to team with Moylan as the club's top setup men.

While Moylan seems to be making great strides in his attempt to return from Tommy John surgery, Soriano will remain questionable until he proves that he's willing and capable to regain the dominant form he displayed in 2007.

Soriano, who underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery Aug. 28, has been throwing off a mound since December, and he's told Gonzalez and other teammates that his elbow feels strong. But because of an upper respiratory infection, Soriano hasn't thrown live batting practice.

While very impressed with what he's seen from Moylan, Cox will continue to be cautious with the right-handed reliever, who is less than 10 months removed from Tommy John surgery. Pitchers usually require 12 months of rehab before returning from this surgical procedure.

"Moylan isn't really supposed to be ready to pitch until mid-April or May," Cox said. "He's throwing like he's ready now. But we'll have to see."

With Gonzalez, Moylan and Soriano at full strength, the Braves could potentially have some of the same back-of-the-bullpen strength that the Mets gained with the acquisitions of Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz.

"If everybody stays healthy, I think we'll have a bullpen that could be as good as anybody in the game," said Gonzalez, who has converted 40 of his 42 save opportunities since becoming a closer with the Pirates in 2006.

Along with having potential strength at the back end of the bullpen, the Braves are also encouraged by the depth provided by Boyer and Bennett, who both gained valuable experience amid the rough circumstances that Atlanta faced last year.

While attempting to replace the 83 appearances made by left-handed reliever Will Ohman last year, the Braves will continue to evaluate Boone Logan and Eric O'Flaherty, a pair of strong-armed left-handed relievers who were acquired during the offseason.

"I know there's been a lot of talk about me, Soriano and Moylan," Gonzalez said. "But I think some people have really underestimated some of the other guys like Boyer, Bennett and Buddy [Carlyle]. There are going to be a lot of good arms out there."