Straily has work to do after first outing

PHOENIX -- Dan Straily wasn't so sharp in his Cactus League debut against the Brewers on Tuesday, but he now has a to-do list in advance of his next start.

The A's right-hander retired each of his first four batters but boarded six of his next eight on a pair of walks and four hits and was tagged for three runs in two-plus innings.

"It was nice to get out there and kinda knock the rust off," said Straily. "I know where I stand and what things I need to work on. We can take the side sessions to work on finishing hitters. That was the only thing kinda missing today.

"Nothing really devastating and it's not like I was all over the place. It's not like I'm trying to walk leadoff hitters or anything, but I was just missing, and I'm ready to work on it and finish hitters."

"He was all right," said manager Bob Melvin. "He had trouble putting some guys away on two-strike pitches and got some balls up late in the counts. He'll probably get a little more refined the next time out."

Straily threw 40 pitches on the day, making use of his entire repertoire. His place in the A's rotation is his to lose, after he moved ahead of Tommy Milone on the depth chart last year, but it's for others to talk about, he insists.

"That's way above my pay grade," he said. "I'm just out there getting ready for the season. That's not even a question for me. "