Lakeland, Fla. — It was only two innings, and there was some shoulder tightness afterward. Nonetheless, it was a step forward for Chuck James.

The Braves left-hander allowed one hit and retired six of seven batters in his Grapefruit League debut Thursday during a 10-inning, 6-6 tie against Detroit at Joker Marchant Stadium.

"I feel pretty positive about my first start, especially against that lineup," said James, who's been brought along slowly by the Braves after being diagnosed with a partial rotator-cuff tear in his throwing shoulder in October.

"It felt good, as far as no pain. When I was done pitching it tightened up a little, but I guess that's normal for this stage," James said of the recovery process.

James got two groundouts and six flyouts, including a broken bat popup by Miguel Cabrera.

"For the first time out, it was excellent," Braves manager Bobby Cox said.

James, an 11-game winner in each of his two seasons in the majors, knows that he is probably going to Class AAA Richmond to begin the season. Even if he had been cleared to begin pitching sooner, he would've faced job competition.

Rookie Jair Jurrjens has been outstanding, posting a 1.00 ERA and .138 opponents' average in three starts. Barring injury, Jurrjens seems assured a rotation spot.

If Mike Hampton is healthy when the season begins, he's in the rotation with John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Tom Glavine. That would leave no vacancies.

"Obviously I've thought about [Richmond]," James said. "Whatever they want to do. They have the leeway, with Jurrjens throwing as well as he has.

"If I have to go to Richmond, it might be a good chance for me to go down there and get back in a groove."

Reyes roughed up

Jo-Jo Reyes' difficult spring continued unabated Thursday when the rookie lefty was charged with seven hits, five runs and two walks in three innings.

He came to camp as a candidate for the rotation, but Reyes has been every bit as bad as Jurrjens has been good.

"Jo-Jo had a rough day with his control and location," Cox said.

It was the second such outing in a row for Reyes, who walked five in two innings of a Saturday start against Houston. He's given up seven runs, nine hits and seven walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Reyes was bumped from Thursday's start to accommodate James. Reyes was scheduled to work four innings, but was lifted early with a high pitch count.

He could join James in a potent opening-day rotation at Richmond, which could also include hot prospect Charlie Morton and Jeff Bennett.

Bullpen decisions

Bennett struggled in two outings before Thursday, when he pitched two hitless innings with one walk to pump some life into his roster bid.

He came to camp as a top candidate for a reliever/spot-starter job, but missed 10 days battling the flu. His biggest job competition is probably Buddy Carlyle, who has plenty of experience starting and relieving, as does Bennett.

There are at least four bullpen certainties: closer Rafael Soriano (provided he's healthy), Peter Moylan, Manny Acosta and lefty Will Ohman.

Soriano hasn't appeared in a spring game because of a stomach virus followed by a sore elbow, but Cox repeated Thursday that he's "real close" to pitching.

Incumbent right-hander Tyler Yates is out of options and also seems assured of a spot, as Cox offered unsolicited praise for him each of the past two days.

Relievers Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop and lefty Royce Ring are out of options, and Boyer and Resop have power arms the Braves don't want to give up. Ring has been unimpressive this spring and could be traded or waived.