Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — The Braves have a roster spot available until John Smoltz returns from the disabled list. Jeff Bennett has done everything possible to get consideration for the job.

Bennett allowed one hit and two walks in four scoreless innings of the Braves' 10-2 Grapefruit League win against Washington on Wednesday. He has a 1.93 spring ERA and 11 scoreless innings in his past four games.

"He hasn't given up anything hardly," Braves manager Bobby Cox said of the right-hander, who has a .149 opponents' average. "Lot of strikes, lot of groundballs — pretty important guy, I would say."

Bennett has surrendered seven hits and six walks in 14 innings, including three hits and two walks in two innings against Cincinnati on the windiest day of spring.

"Nobody could pitch that day," said Cox, who's lauded Bennett since the first day of camp — when he didn't recognize him due to dramatic weight loss.

Bennett said he dropped 54 pounds between July and December, down to 208. He had a shaved head and stocky frame in September, when he went 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA in three games (two starts) with the Braves. Now he has hair and no belly.

His callup was sandwiched between a dominant postseason for Class AAA Richmond (2-0, 1.04 ERA in three starts) and strong winter-ball performance in Venezuela.

Bennett's bid for a relief/spot-starter job appeared stalled when he missed the first week of the Grapefruit League schedule with severe flu symptoms. But after giving up five runs (three earned) against Cincinnati in his second game, he's allowed just four hits and three walks in 11 innings over his past four.

Unlike bullpen candidates Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop and Royce Ring, Bennett is not out of minor-league options. He can be sent to the minors without waivers.

The bullpen would be at seven if the Braves keep all three out-of-options relievers, but there might be an extra (eighth) reliever carried early because of the Smoltz situation.

Smoltz will begin the season on the DL with shoulder soreness. The veteran ace is tentatively scheduled to come off April 6 to start against the New York Mets.

Etc.

Mark Teixeira went 2-for-3 with a double and two-run homer Wednesday, raising his average from .188 to .216. He has two homers and 10 RBIs in 51 at-bats. ... The Braves will pitch four relievers and prospect Charlie Morton against the Mets on Thursday, then break camp and travel to Atlanta for their final two exhibition games Friday and Saturday against Cleveland at Turner Field.