GREENVILLE, S.C. – Atlanta Braves right-hander John Smoltz threw four shutout innings Saturday night in a rehab start for Double-A Greenville.

	Smoltz

The 1996 Cy Young Award winner limited the Tennessee Smokies to two first-inning singles, and then retired the last 10 batters he faced. Smoltz struck out one batter and walked none.

He said he didn't feel any pain.

"There were a couple of balls that I threw that would have done some serious damage up there (in the majors), but still, getting results was nice," Smoltz said. "There were a lot of ground balls. That meant the ball was moving good."

Working under a 45-pitch limit, Smoltz threw 26 strikes and 15 balls before tipping his cap as he exited to a standing ovation after the top of the fourth.

The 33-year-old Smoltz missed all of last season after tearing a right elbow ligament in spring training and having surgery.

Smoltz started Saturday's game by striking out Tennessee right fielder Tony Peters, the first batter he had faced since Game 4 of the 1999 World Series.

Reed Johnson and Josh Phelps followed with consecutive singles, but Smoltz got Orlando Hudson to ground to second base to start an inning-ending double play. Smoltz retired the side in order in the second, the third and the fourth.

His fastball reached 95 mph.

"I'm excited," Smoltz said. "I feel like I'm on my way. I couldn't say that a week ago."

His next rehabilitation outing is scheduled for Thursday with the Braves' Class-A Macon affiliate.

He hopes to start for Atlanta on May 15, his 34th birthday.