More-relaxed Floyd throws 4 no-hit innings

GLENDALE, Ariz. - There's something different about Gavin Floyd this spring.

He looked pretty much the same during Sunday's Cactus League start against the Dodgers, but the White Sox' right-hander seemed much more relaxed, both on the mound and in the clubhouse after he pitched 4 no-hit innings.

Chalk that up to job security. For the first time since coming over from the Phillies in a Dec. 6, 2006, trade for Freddy Garcia, Floyd doesn't have to sweat out a starting spot.

"I was working with some catchers down in Florida, and they're veteran guys in the big leagues," Floyd said of his off-season training. "They were like, 'You can use spring training now to actually get ready for the season.' Granted, I do want to come out here and do real well because I thrive off competition. It's kind of like, yeah, I do have a spot, but at the same time I do want to get better and focus on what I've got to do."

Floyd, who won 17 games for the Sox last season, breezed through Los Angeles' lineup Sunday.

"Awesome, outstanding," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "There's one thing I look for, strikes. Location. It's right there. He threw the ball outstanding against a good lineup. He continues to get better and better every day. The only thing we can do is pray he stays healthy."

Work in progress: Jerry Owens is off to a slow start (.227) as he competes for the White Sox' starting job in center field.

Hitting coach Greg Walker said it's way too early to get down on the leadoff man.

"I don't think he's having a terrible spring at all," Walker said. "He's commanding the left side of the field pretty doggone good and taking his walks and getting a little more feel for bunting, which is a part of his game that definitely has room for improvement. He's a diligent worker."

Owens still has plenty of work to do.

"Right now, the only thing we're working with Jerry on now is approach," Walker said. "There are certain pitches where the law of averages are more with you. There's a game that Ozzie expects you to play. We want to see you not expanding the strike zone, we want to see you working counts but swinging at pitches you should be swinging at. Ozzie, rightfully so, is pretty demanding of small-ball players. That's a part of the game he loves and Jerry's a big part of that."