LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- That smile Braves manager Bobby Cox was displaying after Sunday's 3-2 win over the Astros had something to do with the fact that his team just won for the 11th time in its past 12 games. But it was primarily a product of the fact that he'd just been given more reason to believe he'll begin the season with both Peter Moylan and Rafael Soriano in his bullpen.

Before camp began more than a month ago, Cox said that one of the keys to this year's success would be the health of Moylan and Soriano, who both underwent season-ending elbow surgeries last year.

Fast forward to Sunday -- exactly three weeks before the start of the regular season -- when Soriano and Moylan found themselves tossing scoreless innings against Houston and showing why they could prove to be one of the game's best setup duos.

Because he underwent Tommy John elbow ligament transplant surgery on May 8, there was more reason to doubt the possibility of Moylan being available for the April 5 Opening Night matchup against the Phillies. This popular surgical procedure typically requires a full year of rehab.

But Atlanta has cautiously allowed Moylan to prove he's healthy, and he's responded by providing perfect outings during his past two Grapefruit League appearances.

The fact that he's had six days of rest between each of his appearances provides reason to wonder how his elbow will react when he's required to pitch on a more consistent basis.

Regardless, after watching Moylan record a pair of groundouts and one strikeout against the Astros, Cox was given reason to believe the right-handed Australian reliever will be on the Opening Day roster.

"It sure looks like it," Cox said. "If we didn't have to use him back-to-back. ... It depends how many pitchers we can carry, because of the fifth [starter]. We'll play it by ear. I'd sure like to. But you have to be careful."

Currently, Moylan isn't in a position where he could work back-to-back games. Nor is there any guarantee that he'd remain healthy if required to pitch four times during a seven-game stretch. But because they won't need to use their fifth starter until April 18, the Braves will likely start the year with an extra reliever.

Consequently, they would have the opportunity to provide Moylan necessary rest between appearances during the first month of the season.

Soriano, whose fastball was regularly touching 94 mph during Sunday's perfect sixth inning against Houston, hasn't had any problems since enduring an upper respiratory infection at the beginning of camp. His right elbow, which was repaired when his ulnar nerve was transposed in August, appears to be as healthy.

"He's had no pain that I'm aware of," Cox said. "As hard as he's throwing, it appears to me that he's solid."

After limiting opponents to a .181 batting average in a career-high 71 appearances during the 2007 season, Soriano was given a two-year, $9 million contract. One month after signing this deal, he reported to Spring Training feeling elbow discomfort and made just 14 appearances last year.

Cox has admitted that he didn't know what to expect from Soriano this year. But while notching scoreless innings and showing good velocity with consistent control during his first two Grapefruit League appearances, the right-handed reliever has certainly looked as strong as anybody could have expected.

"He's happy," Cox said. "He feels good finally."

While Soriano has rarely smiled since joining the Braves two years ago, Derek Lowe has been sporting a big grin since signing his four-year, $60 million contract in January. The energetic right-hander also provided Cox reason to smile on Sunday, when he limited the Astros to two runs and recorded six strikeouts in five innings.

"Lowe was excellent again," Cox said.

Lowe, who will likely be chosen as the Opening Day starter, wasn't as sharp as he was when he tossed four perfect innings and didn't allow Houston to hit a ball out of the infield last Tuesday. But still, he registered 13 of his 15 outs within the infield and surrendered just one extra-base hit -- Darin Erstad's second-inning RBI double.

Through his first 14 exhibition season innings, Lowe has allowed four earned runs, surrendered nine hits, issued two walks and registered 18 strikeouts. Based on these results, the 36-year-old right-hander is pleased with where he stands three weeks before the start of the regular season.

"Hitters will tell you how good your stuff is," Lowe said. "I don't care what I think about my stuff. Hitters will tell you, especially the later you go during Spring Training when you're facing more regular guys. The results are letting me know that I'm doing fine."