Washington, DC (My Sportsbook) - The last-place Washington Nationals will play out the remainder of this season without infielder Ronnie Belliard, outfielder Austin Kearns, catcher Jesus Flores and first baseman Dmitri Young. In a story on MLB.com on Wednesday, Nationals manager Manny Acta announced that the four players are done for 2008. Belliard, sidelined since he suffered a right groin strain on September 4 against the Braves, batted .287 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI for Washington this season. Kearns suffered a stress fracture in his left foot in late August, ending a disappointing campaign for the 27-year-old. Kearns hit .217 with seven home runs and 32 RBI. Flores has been out since spraining his left ankle in a collision at home plate with Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley on September 2. The 23-year-old backstop hit .256 with eight homers and a team-leading 59 RBI this season. Young has had a disappointing 2008 after batting a career-high .320 in 2007 for the Nats. The 34-year-old first baseman spent most of the season on the DL with various ailments, and will miss the remainder of this season recovering from a hip injury. |
