--1B Dmitri Young will soon start a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse (N.Y.), acting general manager Mike Rizzo said. The rehab would last 20 days, though it's not clear if Young would have a spot on the major-league roster when it ends. Young started the season on the disabled list with lower back tightness, which caused him to miss much of spring training after playing just 50 games last season.
--SS Cristian Guzman is still on track to return from a hamstring strain during the Nationals' series in Philadelphia this week, acting general manager Mike Rizzo said on Saturday. Guzman was hitting .515 before he sustained the injury on April 13. --OF Justin Maxwell started in place of Elijah Dukes on Sunday, singling twice, walking once and stealing two bases. Maxwell was called up from Triple-A Syracuse (N.Y.) last week to give the Nationals a fifth outfielder while Willie Harris is on the disabled list. Harris is due to come off the DL this week, so it remains to be seen whether the Nationals will keep Maxwell in the majors.
BY THE NUMBERS: 16 -- Consecutive road games the Nationals had lost, all against division opponents, before beating the Mets 8-2 on Sunday in New York. Washington's last road win before Sunday was Sept. 7, 2008, against Atlanta.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think everyone's out there playing hard. We're making mistakes that big-league teams should not make, but we're making them, and that's what's costing us games." -- Outfielder Adam Dunn, on the defensive lapses that hurt the Nationals in two losses to the Mets over the weekend. Washington, which led the National League with 123 errors last season, has committed 18 in 17 games this season.
