Nationals lose Ayala for season with elbow injury

Washington Nationals reliever Luis Ayala, who faced only one batter in his final appearance in the World Baseball Classic, will have reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and is expected to miss the entire season.

Ayala, Washington's primary setup man for All-Star closer Chad Cordero last year, was examined yesterday morning in Los Angeles by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Nationals said. An MRI showed that Ayala has a sprained ligament in his elbow, and Yocum recommended the player have surgery. The operation is supposed to take place within two weeks.

Pitching for Mexico Thursday against the United States, Ayala walked Alex Rodriguez, then made an odd motion with his arm and left the game.

Ayala was limited in practice early in spring training because of stiffness in his elbow. He was 8-7 with a 2.66 ERA in 68 appearances last year before an elbow injury ended his season. Ayala had surgery in October to remove a bone spur in the elbow.

Barry Bonds gave his legs their stiffest in-game test of the spring, scoring from first on a double and running after balls in the outfield during the Giants' 7-5 loss to the Cubs in Scottsdale, Ariz. Bonds only said his legs felt ''good" after the game . . . Mets second baseman Kaz Matsui is expected to miss Opening Day after injuring his right knee while sliding in Thursday night's win over Atlanta . . . Cubs pitcher Mark Prior will meet with Yocum and the team's medical staff today to determine the next course of action as he tries to recover from a strained right shoulder that will likely cause him to miss the start of the season.