Right-hander Dan Haren has not been in the National League since 2004, so hitting has been one of his spring training focuses. Haren has spent a lot of time bunting, and he hit line drives in batting practice before last start.

"It is not necessarily like riding a bike," said Haren, who is 4-for-53 (.075) with three RBIs in his career.

Because of interleague play, Haren has batted every season since he arrived in the big leagues in 2003, but he understands it can be an important tool in keeping him in games in the NL.

"I have to get up there. I have to see pitches. I don't want to be so overwhelmed in two weeks when the season starts," Haren said after his fourth start of the spring Sunday against the White Sox.

"I still have a long way to go, and I definitely don't want it to be a reason for me coming out of any games."

Haren has a sacrifice bunt and two strikeouts in his three spring plate appearances. He was 2-for-5 with Oakland in 2005 but has gone hitless in 11 at-bats the past two seasons.

"The pitcher feels like he's about 25 feet away and the ball feels like it is coming in at 150 miles an hour, but besides that I feel comfortable," Haren joked.

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