--2B Ronnie Belliard pinch-hit in the sixth inning of Wednesday's game against the Marlins and played two innings at second base, but he had to come out of the game because he aggravated a back injury he sustained during his last at-bat Tuesday. "Thank God we've got a day off (Thursday)," Belliard said. "We'll see what happens on Friday night (in Atlanta). Hopefully it's only a couple of days."

--OF Josh Willingham got his first start of the season Wednesday, batting fifth and playing left field against the Marlins. Manager Manny Acta said Willingham and Elijah Dukes will get in the lineup every few days to stay sharp in case one of the team's starting outfielders gets injured.

--OF Elijah Dukes was in the lineup for the first time this season Wednesday, batting second and playing center field. He went 1-for-3 with two walks. Dukes lost out on the right field job to Austin Kearns this spring by batting .212 with 22 strikeouts in 19 games, and he has struck out in his only two pinch-hit appearances this year. "We're going to put him in the second hole today, which is what got him going before," manager Manny Acta said. "Once he sees more at-bats, he probably will get going again. It's been going on since the last couple weeks of spring training."

--2B Alberto Gonzalez drove in a run with a pinch single in the eighth inning, entering the game after Ronnie Belliard aggravated a back injury. He could see more playing time the next few days if Belliard is unable to go Friday night in Atlanta.

MEDICAL WATCH:

2B Ronnie Belliard (sore back) left the April 8 game. He hopes to return April 10.

1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. Young, who has been working himself back into shape while trying to manage diabetes, will remain at extended spring training in Viera, Fla. The Nationals hope he'll be ready to go on a rehab assignment at some point in late April and perhaps return to the big-league roster soon after that.

2B Anderson Hernandez (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He is expected back by mid-April.

RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.

LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season.

ROTATION:

1. LHP John Lannan

2. LHP Scott Olsen

3. RHP Daniel Cabrera

4. RHP Shairon Martis

BULLPEN:

RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)

LHP Joe Beimel

RHP Saul Rivera

RHP Steven Shell

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP Mike Hinckley

LHP Wil Ledezma

LINEUP:

1. CF Lastings Milledge

2. SS Cristian Guzman

3. 3B Ryan Zimmerman

4. LF Adam Dunn

5. RF Austin Kearns

6. 1B Nick Johnson

7. C Jesus Flores

8. 2B Ronnie Belliard

RESERVES:

C Josh Bard

C Wil Nieves

OF/INF Willie Harris

OF Elijah Dukes

OF Josh Willingham

INF Alberto Gonzalez