Port St. Lucie, Fla. — Jo-Jo Reyes is in stiff competition for the Braves' fifth starter's spot, but he's making a case for the job.

While showing flashes of talent in an inconsistent 10 starts last year as a rookie, his biggest hurdle was a lack of command. Reyes, who had 26 walks to 26 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings as a starter, showed improvement Monday.

He allowed a run on two hits in two innings against the New York Mets but didn't walk anybody. He gave up a run-scoring triple to Ramon Castro but also didn't back down from him.

"I just don't want to get too fine on the black edge of the plate," said Reyes, who struck out one. "Just throw more strikes over the middle of the plate and be able to trust my fastball."

Reyes threw almost exclusively fastballs, mixing in only two off-speed pitches. Of his 29 pitches, 19 were strikes.

Reyes said he brings confidence from his last few starts last year. He's also bringing some growth and maturity. Reyes, 23, was married this offseason and is expecting his first child.

"Reyes had a real good outing," manager Bobby Cox said. "Control was real good. I like that a lot."

He'll have to keep it up to beat out Jair Jurrjens and Chuck James for a rotation spot.

"It's open for grabs as far as I'm concerned, depending on how Chucky gets along in his rehab [from a torn rotation cuff]" Cox said. "It's wide open."

Reyes said he's trying not to think much about that.

"I go out there and do my own business, let it take care of itself," he said. "I don't even worry about what other people are doing or what other people are saying."

Flowers on the rise

Cox has been heaping praise on minor-league catching prospect Tyler Flowers and on Monday got the highlight to go with it.

Flowers launched a 480-foot batting practice shot over the left center-field fence and halfway up a backscreen on an adjacent minor-league field.

"Yeah, pretty much got all that," Flowers said with a smile later. "It probably would have went a little further though if it was someone throwing over 60 [mph]."

It was further evidence of the pop Cox sees in Flowers' swing.

"He keeps that left shoulder down like [Yunel] Escobar, stays over the ball," Cox said. "He hits the ball probably as hard as anybody we've got."

Flowers hit 12 homers in 106 games last year in Class A Rome. Cox said he'd like to see him start the season in Class AA Mississippi rather than high Class A Myrtle Beach.

Until now, Flowers, of Marietta, might have been known more for the 50-game suspension he received in Danville in 2006 when he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Flowers said it was for something he did before signing with the Braves. He was a draft-and-follow out of junior college.

"Looking back, it definitely wasn't a good decision," Flowers said. "It's over now. I'm in [major league] camp faster than I thought I would be. Things turn out for a reason."

Contracts complete

In addition to renewing Jeff Francoeur's contract, the Braves agreed to terms on one-year deals with Jeff Bennett, Anthony Lerew, Peter Moylan, Brayan Pena and Scott Thorman. All 40-man roster players are signed now.