Pena Out With Oblique Strain

Viera, FL--Wily Mo Pena, expected to be the Washington Nationals' starting left fielder, suffered a Grade 2 strain of his left oblique muscle and will be sidelined up to a month according to reports from the Nats' spring training complex. Pena injured his side Wednesday during batting practice. A club spokesman said it was a "significant tear of the muscle" and an injury that will require very little activity to heal properly.

With the injury, it is expected that Elijah Dukes will take over in left field until Pena is healthy, however Dukes strained his right hamstring sliding into second base in Friday's game and is listed by-to-day.

The injury bug seems to be floating around the Nats' clubhouse these days, but some good news on the front is available. Dmitri Young played his first spring training game of the season Thursday night and went 2-for-3 with a walk. He was the designated hitter for that contest, and was in the line-up again for Friday's game. Catcher Paul LoDuca played in a minor league game Thursday and went 2-for-3 as well. He is expected to play Saturday against one of his old teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Shawn Hill, rehabbing a sore forearm after receiving a cortisone shot earlier this week, played catch for the second day in a row Thursday and reported to be pain-free. He is tentatively scheduled for a bullpen session Saturday as he tries to regain playing shape and avoid a trip to the disabled list to start the season.

Pena Out With Oblique Strain also posted at DC Sports Box