Washington's Cristian Guzman runs out a single against Detroit on Monday in Lakeland, Fla. Guzman, who missed all of last season because of a shoulder injury, wants to improve on his .219 average with the Nationals.

Vkera, Fla. ? Cristian Guzman is doing what he can to put a certain number behind him, a number that defines his Washington Nationals career so far: .219.

That was his 2005 batting average, and, because he missed all of last season after shoulder surgery, it’s the most recent number in the “AVG” column under his name. So even though everyone knows exhibition numbers don’t count, Guzman’s consistent hitting this spring means a whole lot to him and the Nationals.

“I have to do it this year,” the shortstop said. “I know everybody’s talking, talking, so I have to do something.”

What he’s done so far in Florida is certainly a positive, no matter the setting. Guzman entered Tuesday night’s game against the New York Mets batting .444 with a homer and nine RBIs in 36 at-bats.

The Nationals are planning to bat him second, hoping they’ll see traces of the Guzman who hit .302 as an All-Star in 2001 for the Minnesota Twins and entered 2005 with a .266 career average.

What no one, save opponents, wants to see is the Guzman whose average languished below .200 for all of July and August and the first week of September in the first season of his $16.8 million, four-year contract with the Nationals.

That’s why his production in spring training means something.

“It’s very encouraging for him, for us as a team, for the fans, for everybody, because we didn’t see THE Cristian Guzman in 2005,” manager Manny Acta said. “He’s not the guy that everybody saw in 2005. We should know that. He’s not going to be that guy again here.”

Nationals hitting coach Mitchell Page agrees.

“He’s on a mission this year,” Page said. “I tell you: He’s playing like an All-Star.”

Whoa. Really? How can they be so sure of what they’ll get once games begin for real next week? Let’s not forget: Guzman was hitting .448 at one point during spring training in 2005, before an 0-for-23 drought.

But, for one, Acta managed Guzman in winter league ball in their native Dominican Republic, so he knows the player, his persona and his skills.

And there are differences between the Guzman of 2005 and the Guzman of 2007.

Perhaps most significantly, he had laser eye surgery after the 2005 season, something he says makes it much easier to see what type of pitch is heading his way.

“Hey, it’s 20-20 now,” Guzman said.

He never got the chance to show how much that would help, because his 2006 was cut short by a sore right shoulder; he wound up having surgery in May and sitting out the year.

Now, he says, he’s healthy.

“It’s 100 percent. I feel good,” Guzman said. “No pain, no nothing, thank God.”

With those two issues seemingly resolved, he’s working harder than in the past, spending time in the batting cage every day. Back in 2005, he acknowledges now, he didn’t put in that extra time.

Plus, Page noted that Guzman’s made some switches at the plate.

“He’s got a different makeup. He’s got a better stance. Better balance. Not jumping and lunging at the ball. Staying behind the ball,” Page said. “He’s made some adjustments and he looks real solid right now.”

Teammates have noticed Guzman’s new attitude, too.

“He has confidence, and he’s having fun,” said second baseman Felipe Lopez, Guzman’s double-play partner and clubhouse neighbor.