Schroder Absorbs Pounding

VERO BEACH, Fla., March 11 -- Washington Nationals reliever Chris Schroder spent the latter part of the offseason trying to work on his slider. But after Schroder allowed four hits and three runs in one-third of an inning Sunday -- allowing the Los Angeles Dodgers to overcome a two-run deficit and post a 10-9 victory -- Manager Manny Acta said Schroder must refine his breaking pitches if he expects to stay in the big leagues.

"He needs to work on his secondary pitches," Acta said. "Up here, with one pitch all the time, guys will time you and hurt you."

Schroder thought the assessment was fair.

"I probably threw too many fastballs today," he said.

Schroder also was hurt by a bloop double that led off the inning and his own inability to field a chopper back to the mound that might have turned into a game-ending double play. He has now given up six runs in 3 1/3 innings this spring for a 16.20 ERA, and he said he would continue to work on his off-speed pitches.

"I think I got to keep throwing them and get confidence in them," he said.

No Hurry for Ayala

Acta said reliever Luis Ayala, who missed all of last season following reconstructive elbow surgery, hasn't experienced any problems as he works his way back, but the club still doesn't have a timetable as to when he will throw in a major league game. That opens up the possibility that Ayala, a top setup man in 2005, might not be ready for the Opening Day roster.

"He's going to have another simulated game, and we'll go from there," Acta said. Asked when Ayala would appear in a Grapefruit League game, Acta said: "Soon. Obviously, if he doesn't get to do that, then the chances of him heading up north are not as good."

Half Full, Half Empty

Left-hander Chris Michalak started and lasted 2 2/3 innings, allowing a two-run homer to Jeff Kent in the first and getting a run-saving double play ball after he had departed in the third. "I accomplished what I wanted," Michalak said. "I was around the zone."

Acta's take was a bit different. "Nothing to rave about," he said. . . .

The Nationals will continue to use the designated hitter Monday against the New York Mets and Thursday against Detroit, but their pitchers likely will hit in every game after that. . . .

Cristian Guzman played five innings at shortstop in a minor league intrasquad game Sunday in Viera, going 1 for 3 with an infield single and a stolen base. He's scheduled to play in the field in a major league game for the first time on Wednesday.

Pitcher of the Day Right-hander Colby Lewis came on in relief and was roughed up for the second time in two outings. He allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings, and his ERA is now 16.62. The staff ERA is 7.16. Up Next vs. Mets in Viera, 1 p.m.