The Nationals have signed 34-year old righty swinging infielder Pokey Reese to a minor league contract. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2004 so it’s a longshot that he will be able to help the Nationals this season. Reese has played in 856 games in his major league career and he is 704 for 2,833 (.248 avg, .659 OPS) with 366 runs scored, 44 homers, 271 RBIs and 144 stolen bases.

Tim Redding has been great this season for the Nationals as he has really stepped up. He has started 10 games this season for the Nationals and he is 6-3 with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Redding has made the most of the opportunity that the Nationals have given him and he will likely be one of the better starting pitchers that they run out to the mound in the near future as he has good stuff.

The injuries keep mounting for the Washington Nationals who will be without outfielder Austin Kearns for the next 3-4 weeks. He will undergo surgery on his right elbow tomorrow. Kearns has played in 42 games for the Nationals this season and he is 28 for 150 (.187 avg, .562 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 3 homers and 16 RBIs. The Nationals will probably replace Kearns in the starting lineup with Elijah Dukes. Dukes has looked overmatched at the plate so far this season for the Nationals. Dukes has played in 12 games for the Nationals this season and he is 2 for 30 (.067 avg, .294 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI.

The Washington Nationals have placed reserve infielder Ronnie Belliard on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf strain. Belliard has played in 26 games for the Nationals this season and he is 13 for 67 (.194 avg, .659 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 9 RBIs. The Nationals have replaced Belliard on the active roster with 29-year old, righty reliever Chris Schroder. Schroder has pitched in 3 games for the Nationals this season and he is 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has also pitched in 12 games in AAA ball this season and he was 3-2 with 3 saves, a 3.45 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP.

The Nationals have placed starting 1B Nick Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist which will cause him to miss the next 4-6 weeks. Johnson has played in 38 games this season for the Nationals and he is 24 for 109 (.220 avg, .846 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 5 homers and 20 RBIs. Johnson has played great defense this season for the Nationals and he has also done a good job of getting on base having walked 33 times this season. Dmitri Young has been activated off the D.L. to replace Johnson as the starting 1B. Young has played in 6 games for the Nationals this season and he is 3 for 14 (.214 avg, .619 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Aaron Boone will also get some P.T. at first base for the Nationals. Boone has played in 35 games for the Nationals so far this season and he is 21 for 64 (.328 avg, .958 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers and 9 RBIs. No matter who is playing first base for the Nationals the team defense will suffer until Johnson returns.