--1B Dmitri Young began a rehab assignment with Class A Vermont and could return to the Nationals after seven games there. General manager Jim Bowden said the team will reevaluate Young in a week to see if he is in proper playing shape. Young went on the disabled list July 19 after having problems keeping his diabetes under control.
--SS Alberto Gonzalez returned to the roster after missing nearly a month with a strained left hamstring, sustained Aug. 4 when he slid into third base in Colorado. He joins a crowded middle infield that includes Cristian Guzman, Emilio Bonifacio and Anderson Hernandez. --OF Wily Mo Pena was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list, eliminating the already remote possibility that he would return this season after shoulder surgery in July. Pena hit .205 with two homers in 64 games for the Nationals this season.
--OF Roger Bernadina was one of six players the Nationals called up Monday, returning after hitting .125 in a 10-game stint with the team in June and July. Manager Manny Acta said Bernadina was able to shorten his swing at Class AAA Columbus (Ohio) while hitting .351 there, and added he will play "here and there" in the outfield.
--3B Ryan Zimmerman hit his 10th home run of the season in the fourth inning. It was his second in six games and another sign that the third baseman is regaining the power stroke he'd temporarily lost when he missed two months with a labral tear in his left shoulder. "I'm feeling pretty good," Zimmerman said. "I'm just trying to put good swings on the ball."
BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Players who have hit for the cycle as member of the Nationals: Brad Wilkerson (April 6, 2005) and Cristian Guzman (Aug. 28, 2008).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Everybody was saying, 'Hit the triple, hit the triple.' And I said, 'Ok, I'll try.'" -- Cristian Guzman, on tripling in his final at-bat Thursday night to hit for the cycle.
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