Adam Dunn returns home for "minor procedure"

Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn returned from St. Louis to Washington today to undergo a "minor procedure," and the Nationals hope he can return for Wednesday's game, Manager Jim Riggleman said. Dunn has been out of the starting lineup last two games with a physical ailment.

Riggleman said the procedure was performed by a Nationals team doctor and was "really of no significance" to his playing time in the near future. When asked, Riggleman declined to go into further detail. The Nationals are unsure if Dunn will play Wednesday.

"It's a little bit up in the air as to whether that happens," Riggleman said. "Knowing Adam, there's a good chance he'll be in there tomorrow."

Although Dunn was not in the lineup Sunday or Monday, he pinch-hit in both games. Dunn missing any significant time would be a rarity. Since the start of the 2004 season, Dunn has played in 989 games, third most in the majors behind Miguel Cabrera and Ichiro Suzuki, who have both played in 991.

Replacing Dunn tonight, Josh Willingham will bat cleanup and Adam Kennedy will shift from second base to first. In their two games without Dunn, who has a .925 OPS, the Nationals have scored thee runs combined.