"Now, if he'd have been pitching the last two years and had a little setback like this now, he might have been able to get himself ready. ... Let me put it this way, it's in the gray area now, unless something should happen."

Zumaya has not pitched a game since March 2 against Florida Southern. Although an examination last week by orthopedic surgeon James Andrews revealed normal camp fatigue, Zumaya continues to undergo treatment on his shoulder and has confounded Leyland's repeated attempts to schedule him for mound work.

Since going 6-3 with a 1.94 ERA in 83 innings as a rookie in 2006, Zumaya has been limited to 57 innings the past two seasons. Surgery on his right middle finger cost him much of 2007, and the shoulder problems that continue to linger placed him on the disabled list twice in '08.

The uncertainty surrounding Zumaya's status heading into his fourth major-league season has prompted the Tigers to take longer looks than anticipated at several relievers.

On Sunday, in a 3-0 victory against the Nationals, a string of bullpen candidates gave Leyland reason to breathe easier -- if only for one day -- about the depth of talent from which to pick.

"We've got what we've got and we're going to go forward with it," Leyland said. "Provided they stay healthy, I think we've got some depth."

It showed at blustery Space Coast Stadium, with Fernando Rodney providing his fourth consecutive scoreless outing. Rincon followed with his fifth consecutive scoreless outing, and Casey Fien, Clay Rapada and Scott Williamson shut down the Nationals the rest of the way.

Tigers right-hander Alfredo Figaro, making the start in place of injured Rick Porcello (right index finger), allowed no runs on two hits in three innings.

Figaro has yet to allow a run and has not walked a batter in eight spring innings, including a two-inning stint against Florida Southern.