Dmitri Young's feel-good return to baseball is fast becoming a distant memory.
The NL Comeback Player of the Year in 2007 and Nationals' lone All-Star that season was outrighted to Class AAA Syracuse on Oct. 4, a move that calls into question his future with the franchise. The Nationals said the decision to remove Young from the 40-man roster was made to clear up space for organizational prospects who need to be protected from next month's Rule 5 draft. But it leaves the 35-year-old first baseman needing to earn his way back onto the squad next season.
Young, who is due to make $5 million in 2009, accepted the assignment. He is expected to accept an invitation to come to spring training as a non-roster player, but he'll have to overcome his physical ailments (including diabetes) to make the team.
After hitting .320 with 74 RBIs in 2007, Young was beset by injuries in 2008. Unable to keep his diabetes and weight under control, he missed 112 games with a variety of ailments and did not play at all following the All-Star break. Even when healthy, he hit just four homers and drove in 10 runs despite 150 at-bats.
"I have a great deal of respect for the Nationals' organization, and the opportunities that they have provided me," Young said in a statement issued through his agent, Adam Katz. "As such, I have accepted the assignment. I look forward to the challenge of battling my way back, and making a meaningful contribution to what I expect will be an exciting team in 2009."
