Hoping that a blast from their past will help fill a glaring need, the Braves signed 48-year-old first baseman Julio Franco for the rest of the season. The oldest player in the majors, who turns 49 on Aug. 23, was dropped by the New York Mets last week and signed with Atlanta immediately after clearing waivers Wednesday. He'll be activated today and start the series opener vs. St. Louis. "If he's anywhere near where he was [in his previous stint with the Braves], he can really help us," manager Bobby Cox said of Franco, who hit .200 with one homer in just 50 at-bats before he was designated for assignment July 12.