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Kearns |
BY RICH CAMPBELL
WASHINGTON--
The Washington Nationals' injury-marred season may be nearing its conclusion, but the negative injury news isn't letting up. Yesterday, it was a quadruple whammy.The Nationals announced that catcher Jesus Flores (sprained left ankle), right fielder Austin Kearns (broken left foot), infielder Ronnie Belliard (strained right groin) and first baseman Dmitri Young (strained left hip) will not play again this season.
"They're just going to take their time, heal properly, and we'll see them next year in spring training," manager Manny Acta said. "I don't think it makes any sense at this point to have a guy start playing at less than 100 percent or to have a guy work so hard to get to 100 percent and play the last two games of the season without having at-bats for so long."
The news, though not particularly surprising, was fitting, considering the horde of injuries that have debilitated the Nationals this season. Eight of the nine members of the Opening Night lineup, and 17 different players overall, have spent time on the disabled list. That has forced Acta to use 114 different lineups this season, excluding pitchers.
In spite of the constant turnover, Acta and general manager Jim Bowden believe they can properly evaluate the team this offseason and determine projections for 2009.
"I think we all have a pretty good idea of what people's potential and talent are, the injured players," Bowden said. "We had the opportunity to see other players and younger players and see how they fit in for next year. I think we all have a pretty good feel of what the players are when they're healthy and what the risks are for the players that were not healthy."
Kearns and Young, in particular, now enter the offseason with questions surrounding their ability to contribute in 2009.
Kearns finishes the year with a .217 average, seven homers and 32 RBIs in 86 games (313 at-bats). His previous career-low average was .230 in 64 games with Cincinnati in 2004.
"It's tough," Kearns said. "You've got to roll with it. Things happen that are out of your control, and that's part of it."
Kearns, 28, said he will proceed with his normal offseason routine once doctors say he can stop wearing a walking boot. He bristled yesterday when asked if he believes he must reclaim his starting outfield spot next season. "That's probably not a question for me. If they tell me that, that's up to them," he said.
The Nationals are pleased with outfielder Elijah Dukes' development, and Wily Mo Pena is also expected to return from his season-ending right shoulder injury and compete for playing time. Kearns is scheduled to make $8 million next season, and the Nationals have a $10 million option for 2010.
Young, who turns 35 next month, has struggled with his diabetes this season and was rarely, if ever, 100 percent healthy. Bowden has said the Nationals cannot begin 2009 counting on Young and first baseman Nick Johnson to stay healthy for the entire year.
Flores, meanwhile, begins his offseason having accomplished more than he could have hoped coming out of spring training.
The Nationals had planned to play him in the minors all year to gauge his development, but injuries to catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada opened the door for him to play in the majors. He hit .256 and led the Nationals with 59 RBIs. The Nationals are committed to making him their starting catcher next season and beyond.
"I got to the big leagues," Flores said. "I got the job to play every day. Yeah, that's what I want, to be ready for next year now."
Nats will host Red Sox,
The Nationals' 2009 schedule was released yesterday, and it includes a visit from the Boston Red Sox and a trip to New Yankee Stadium.
Washington will play six weekend series against NL East opponents, including the New York Mets (June 5-7) and Philadelphia (May 15-17). The Nationals did not host either of those division front-runners in a weekend series this season.
Washington will match up against the AL East in interleague play. The Nationals will host Boston on June 23-25 and travel to play the New York Yankees on June 16-18. They visit Tampa Bay on June 12-14 in Elijah Dukes' return to his hometown and three games against the team that jettisoned him last offseason.
The Nationals play Baltimore six times (home, May 22-24; road June 26-28). They also host four-game series against the Chicago Cubs (July 16-19) and St. Louis (April 30-May 3).
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com
