Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — John Smoltz tested his troublesome shoulder with a bullpen session Thursday and called it his best day of spring training.

Then the veteran pitcher said he wouldn't be "consumed" by questions about his health. He sounded like he's derived added motivation from perceived skeptics.

"I've got a lot of pitching left," said Smoltz, who will turn 41 on May 15. "You can sometimes get caught up in things you have to explain."

He repeated, "I've got a lot of pitching left."

Smoltz will open the season on the disabled list after being scratched from a start with a sore pitching shoulder. He's scheduled to come off the DL April 6 for a Sunday start against the New York Mets at Turner Field.

It was his first time throwing from the mound in eight days, since he cut short a side session because of what he described as a knot in the trapezius muscle on top of the shoulder.

Instead of pitching the second game of the season (Monday's home opener against Pittsburgh), he's set to make his season debut in what could be a highly anticipated matchup against new Mets ace Johan Santana.

"I'll take two days [off], then come back and throw," Smoltz said, "and then have my eye on that Sunday start."

The Braves will pitch Tim Hudson in the season opener Sunday at Washington, then veteran left-hander Tom Glavine in Monday's home opener against Pittsburgh.

After a day off Tuesday, rookie Jair Jurrjens will start Wednesday, and Mike Hampton is scheduled to start Thursday's series finale with the Pirates.

While the Braves are opening the season, Smoltz will return to Florida for a minor-league game Sunday or Monday at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Neither manager Bobby Cox nor Smoltz say they have any concerns about his lack of innings this spring. He pitched in only one Grapefruit League game.

Smoltz believes his simulated-game work the first two weeks of March was perfect for what he wanted to do this spring.

He had an injury to the same area of his shoulder last season when he slipped making a between-innings warm-up pitch at Milwaukee. He missed one start, then pitched with discomfort for several weeks before landing on the DL in July.

He was asked Thursday whether he thought the shoulder could be a recurring problem this season. Smoltz looked at the questioner and said firmly, "Yeah, it's a possibility. But I'm gonna change that mind-set."

He continued, "I'm going to have a real good time. Have a blast, and hopefully win a lot of games along the way. I'm not going to get consumed, like before."

Rough day against Mets closes camp

The Braves broke camp in Florida, but not before a less-than-pristine 9-4 loss to the Mets at Disney's Wide World of Sports. The Braves used relievers and minor-league pitchers. Peter Moylan, who previously allowed only one run all spring, gave up three in the first inning on three hits and a walk. ... Braves prospect Jason Heyward, 18, impressed with raw strength during batting practice. The Braves' first-round pick in the June draft out of Henry County High was brought in from minor-league camp for a taste of big-league atmosphere. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout. The 6-foot-4 right fielder will play for Class A Rome this season.