Nationals' minor-league report

Date published: 8/24/2006

By TODD JACOBSON

For Larry Broadway, the good news that came yesterday was no consolation to the disappointing news he received a few weeks ago.

Broadway, a first baseman at Triple-A New Orleans, was diagnosed with a partially dislocated right shoulder after a meeting with Nationals team doctor Ben Shaffer yesterday. And though he'll miss the rest of the Triple-A season, he was happy to avoid any surgery.

He had already learned he wouldn't be called up to the big leagues when rosters expand from 25 to 40 on Sept. 1. He said he was informed he wouldn't be promoted by Nationals officials before he hurt himself diving for a ball Sunday.

Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said several weeks ago he didn't want to call up prospects in September to sit on the bench. Broadway, the Nationals' No. 9 prospect according to Baseball America, is blocked at first base by Nick Johnson.

"Definitely it is disappointing," Broadway said. "I am not getting any younger. Everybody that plays baseball it's their ultimate goal to get to the big leagues and have a career in the big leagues, and it's tough when you have to wait for something to happen."

Broadway also won't be playing in the Arizona Fall League. Though he was announced among the Nationals' representatives in the AFL, he said he had decided he wouldn't be making a third trip to the prospect-rich fall league before he was hurt.

Instead, he'll devote himself to getting healthy. He could return from the shoulder dislocation in four to six weeks, but he said he would work all winter to strengthen the joint for spring training.

Broadway, 25, finished his first full year at Triple-A hitting .288 with 15 homers and a career-high 78 RBIs when he was injured.

"He was able to maintain it over the course of the year," Nats farm director Andy Dunn said. "Last year he started off and had the injury but he scuffled a little bit and finished the year in Double-A. This year he just swung the bat all year."

Broadway strained his right knee early last season and spent most of the offseason playing catch-up, participating in the AFL and the Venezuelan Winter League.

"I think I had one of the best years of my career this year and I am happy with it," Broadway said. "I am just going to go and get as strong as I can this offseason and be in shape for next year, try to make the club out of spring training as a backup and help the team out in any way I can."

To reach TODD JACOBSON:540/735-1974
Email: tjacobson@freelancestar.com

Date published: 8/24/2006