Dmitri Young to the DL; Johnny Estrada recalled

After 10 p.m., the Washington Nationals placed first baseman Dmitri Young on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 3. The club will recall catcher Johnny Estrada from Class AAA Columbus, where he was on a rehab assignment to get over tendinitis in his right elbow.

Young has a sprained lower back. He simply wasn't getting any better. Now, he has a long road back that may include losing weight. Asked within the last week whether conditioning had anything to do with Young's injury, Manager Manny Acta said, "I don't know."

Estrada had played four games for Columbus. Now, the club has three catchers, because Jesus Flores remains in the majors for now. Estrada is a switch-hitter, so it gives them the potential of another left-handed bat off the bench other than Willie Harris.

Also: Shawn Hill threw five shutout innings for Class A Potomac on Tuesday night. I text messaged with him afterward, and he didn't think his pitches were particularly sharp, but the pain in his forearm was NOT terrible. "Not bad at all," he said. "Just a little bit tight at first, but not bad." Threw 90-91 mph with his fastball, allowed four hits and one walk with four strikeouts, needing just 69 pitches (45 strikes) to get through.

Keep in mind I have a chat at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. I'll likely have entries before then, but ...