Christensen Impresses, but Hits Sign-Language Barrier

McKay Christensen couldn’t have scripted a better performance to begin building his case for the Dodgers’ center-field and leadoff jobs. Or so it seemed.

Christensen, making his first exhibition start, tripled to right-center field and scored in the first inning of Sunday’s 9-8 victory over Florida. He singled to open the third inning, took third on Cesar Izturis’ single and scored on Paul Lo Duca’s two-run double. He led off the fifth with a perfectly placed bunt single.

But when Manager Jim Tracy pulled Christensen aside after he scored in the third, it was not to praise him for his aggressive baserunning.

“I missed a hit-and-run sign, and I can’t afford to do that,” Christensen said. “I can’t miss any signs, but I especially can’t afford to miss a hit-and-run because that can waste an at-bat and a baserunner. It’s not good for both parties.”

These are the rookie-type mistakes coaches expect from a 26-year-old who has played in all of 95 big league games, but if Christensen is to beat out Tom Goodwin, Marquis Grissom and Dave Roberts this spring, he can’t afford to make them. Ever.

“In my opinion, there is no excuse to miss signs,” Tracy said. “If the ability is there, things like that can help or hinder you in the standings for who wins the job.... You can win or lose games with miscommunication, and I don’t like to see those things done incorrectly. Those can kill you.”

Tracy believes Christensen has the physical tools to lead off, but he needs to stay on top of the ball to avoid hitting too many fly balls, and he needs to continue to improve his bunting and base-stealing skills.

Christensen, who hit .327 in 28 games for the Dodgers last season, is out of options and will have to clear waivers before he is sent to the minor leagues, so the Dodgers would risk losing him if he doesn’t make the club.

He’s also competing against two veterans (Grissom and Goodwin) who will make a combined $8.25 million.

“There are a lot of factors involved in the decision, and salary is one of the things you take into consideration,” Dodger General Manager Dan Evans said. “Our goal is to field the best team we can, but luckily we don’t have to make those decisions now.”

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Andy Ashby took another step in his recovery from elbow surgery, throwing a two-inning, 32-pitch simulated game, but there was nothing simulated about a blistering Mark Grudzielanek line drive that almost hit Ashby in the head.

“I almost got killed out there,” said Ashby, who ducked in time to avoid the shot. “But that’s good. It’s a little reminder of how far I have to go to get everything back to where I was before I got hurt. I have to be ready to field the ball after I pitch.”

Ashby gave up one hit in the first inning, but seven of his 16 pitches in the second were whacked for hits. Still, Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn were happy with the way Ashby threw the ball. Barring any setback, Ashby will make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday against Florida.

“I might have to wear a chest protector if I keep throwing the ball over the plate like that,” Ashby said. “My pitches were pretty good out of the windup, but I scuffled out of the stretch. I’ve got to get my timing down.”

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Kevin Brown, also recovering from elbow surgery, threw a 70-pitch bullpen workout Sunday and is scheduled to throw a simulated game Wednesday. If that goes well, he’ll make an exhibition start this weekend.... Outfielder Dante Bichette, a favorite to win a bench spot, homered twice Sunday, and Brian Jordan and Izturis each had two hits. Starter Hideo Nomo gave up one run and three hits in three innings.