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Nats infielder Dmitri Young says he has put his release |
BY TODD JACOBSON
WASHINGTON--There were plenty of handshakes and hugs yesterday before Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young faced the team that released him late last year, but perhaps no part of his reunion was as telling as the conversation Young had with Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland.
"The best thing that could've ever happened to him was when we released him. I told him that today," Leyland said. "He had time to get his life straightened out. He did. I said you know you're hitting now the way I thought you were gonna hit for me last year."
Young has clearly come a long way since he was released by the Tigers last September.
He entered yesterday's game hitting a team-high .333 with seven homers and 34 RBIs, but when Detroit released him Sept. 6, his was a long list of off-the-field transgressions that included an arrest for domestic abuse, a battle with alcohol problems and a month-long stay in an alcohol treatment facility.
On the field, he struggled with injuries and hit a career-low .250 in 48 games.
But as he prepared to face his former team yesterday, he downplayed the reunion, saying he had nothing to prove.
"I'm past that," Young said. "My performance does the talking for that."
"It's not like he's been carrying a grudge or anything or trying to unleash anything on these guys," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "As far as I'm concerned and he's concerned, it's just going to be another game today."
His performance has allowed him to quickly become a leader in the Nationals' clubhouse, even if he might only remain in Washington for a few more weeks. Nationals officials made it clear when Young signed a minor league deal during spring training that he would be an asset around the trading deadline.
Young's only lament? He was released by the Tigers less than a month before Detroit began its postseason run, and he wasn't able to play in the World Series, though his former teammates voted him a full share of the playoff bonus money and he received an American League Championship Series ring earlier this season.
"It has come full circle," he said. "The past is the past. The Tigers had a good team this year and I'm hitting the ball again. I was able to get everything back together, but I still wanted to play in the World Series. I may get my chance in the next few years."
Rotation roundupAdd left-hander Mike O'Connor to the Nationals' crowded group of starting pitchers trying to work their way back to the big leagues in the minors.
O'Connor, who had offseason surgery to remove a cartilage defect in his left elbow, finished his rehabilitation assignment, was activated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Harrisburg, where he'll start for the Double-A Senators Wednesday.
O'Connor was among the Nationals' biggest surprises a year ago, though he slumped after a quick start and finished the season 3-8 with a 4.80 ERA. Acta said he still needs to strengthen his arm before returning to the majors.
"We are going to let him go out there and pitch and we're going to see where he fits," Acta said. "Obviously we still have a bunch of guys rehabbing and guys are up here pitching decent and we're going to have to make decisions pretty soon but he's obviously part of the future here."
Three other Nationals starters will make rehabilitation appearances this week. Jason Bergmann (sore right elbow) will start Wednesday for Triple-A Columbus, and on Thursday, John Patterson (sore right elbow and right biceps) will pitch for Single-A Potomac and Jerome Williams (right shoulder strain) will pitch for Double-A Harrisburg.
Reliever Ryan Wagner, who had season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this month, was also moved to the 60-day disabled list.
Todd Jacobson: 540/735-1974
