The second-year skipper said Tuesday night's dugout confrontation between him and right fielder Elijah Dukes is "yesterday's news."

Television cameras caught Acta and Dukes exchanging heated words after Dukes scored on center fielder Lastings Milledge's game-winning home run in the ninth inning of the Nationals' 7-6 win over the Pirates.

A miscommunication in the dugout caused the uproar following the celebration that occurred near home plate after the home run was hit.

"And I don't read yesterday's paper," Acta said. "It's over with."

Acta said on Wednesday that he and Dukes talked things over after the game and that the two were "cool."

The confrontation didn't halt Acta from putting Dukes right back in lineup for Wednesday night's game.

"I'm never going to do anything against my club on whatever happens on the field," Acta said. "It had nothing to do what happened yesterday. He's our right fielder.

"He's played very well. He's given us consistent good at-bats. He's not chasing pitches outside the zone. He's walked consistently, which gives him a higher on-base percentage. He's swung the bat real good over the last two weeks."

However, it remains to be seen if Dukes will stay in the No. 2 hole when the likes of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (left shoulder) and outfielder Austin Kearns (right elbow) return to the lineup from the disabled list.

Heading into Wednesday night's game, Dukes was hitting .207 with one home run and seven RBIs.

"We'll see," Acta said to whether or not to keep Dukes at No. 2. "It's still a ways to go before those guys come back, and we're going to have the make the decision when they come back. If he continues to swing the bat good, we won't have to change."