Rome — John Smoltz brought his new 10 o'clock delivery to north Georgia on Thursday night, and headed home, all in all, fairly pleased with the product.

His line over two innings against the Class A Asheville Tourists: No runs, one hit, no walks, three strikeouts, no complaints.

Yes, he was tougher on these Tourists than $4-a-gallon gas.

"I feel better knowing I got two innings in," Smoltz said after what is scheduled to be his next-to-final minor-league rehab appearance before hopefully rejoining the Braves on Monday at Turner Field against Florida.

"The second inning was really good [two strikeouts, nine strikes in 14 pitches]," he said. "The first inning was, I wouldn't say protective, but a little bit a feeling out of the situation [one hit, 8 strikes on 13 pitches]. I threw some really good pitches, quality pitches that would get hitters out at any level.

"All in all, good command of the strike zone, everything I wanted to do."

Smoltz displayed the new drop-down, three-quarters delivery he is employing in an attempt to save his sore pitching shoulder, the same motivation for moving to the bullpen. He warned both opposing hitters and his major-league catcher, Brian McCann, to beware of that slider coming from an unfamiliar angle.

His plan is to return to the Rome Braves on Saturday, and rather than start the game as he did Thursday, simulate coming on in a one-inning relief situation. He underlined the word "tentative" when outlining the design.

"This is the final phase to get this thing done," Smoltz said. "There's not a lot of time anymore to wait this thing out. It's time to find out. I anticipate Monday being that time."