Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> --LHP Mike Hinckley was designated for assignment and LHP Ron Villone had his contract purchased from Class AAA Syracuse as the Nationals continued to try to assemble a bullpen that can get big-league hitters out. Hinckley, 26, was unable to do that this season, putting 20 men on base over only 9 2/3 innings. The final straw came Wednesday night against the Dodgers, when he entered with the bases loaded and allowed a run-scoring single and then walked in another run with a 3-2 fastball that hit the backstop on the fly. Villone, 39, had a 2.35 ERA in eight appearances with Syracuse after signing a minor league contract April 11. He owns a career 56-59 big-league record and 4.75 ERA in 654 games with 11 different organizations.</div>--3B Ryan Zimmerman again wasted no time extending his hitting streak Thursday night. Zimmerman lined a single up the middle in the first inning at Dodger Stadium, his 25th consecutive game with a hit. This was the 10th time during the 24-year-old's streak that he got a hit in his first plate appearance. He's extended the streak with a hit in his second plate appearance nine times. --OF Elijah Dukes took over in center field when OF Lastings Milledge was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse one week into the season. Dukes, though, hasn't been much better in center field than Milledge was. He's taken bad routes to balls and on Thursday night watched as a routine flyball fell between him and RF Adam Dunn. The Nationals don't see Dukes as a true center fielder and would prefer he play one of the corner positions eventually. But with no other viable options right now, the club is forced to play him out of position. MEDICAL WATCH: 1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He was expected to begin a 20-day rehab stint with Class AAA Syracuse in early May. RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April. OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment. 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: LHP John Lannan LHP Scott Olsen RHP Daniel Cabrera RHP Shairon Martis RHP Jordan Zimmermann BULLPEN: LHP Joe Beimel RHP Julian Tavarez RHP Kip Wells RHP Joel Hanrahan RHP Garrett Mock RHP Logan Kensing LHP Ron Villone CATCHERS: Jesus Flores Wil Nieves INFIELDERS: 1B Nick Johnson 2B Anderson Hernandez SS Cristian Guzman 3B Ryan Zimmerman INF Ronnie Belliard INF Alex Cintron OUTFIELDERS: LF Adam Dunn CF Elijah Dukes RF Austin Kearns OF Josh Willingham OF/2B Willie Harris

--LHP Mike Hinckley was designated for assignment and LHP Ron Villone had his contract purchased from Class AAA Syracuse as the Nationals continued to try to assemble a bullpen that can get big-league hitters out. Hinckley, 26, was unable to do that this season, putting 20 men on base over only 9 2/3 innings. The final straw came Wednesday night against the Dodgers, when he entered with the bases loaded and allowed a run-scoring single and then walked in another run with a 3-2 fastball that hit the backstop on the fly. Villone, 39, had a 2.35 ERA in eight appearances with Syracuse after signing a minor league contract April 11. He owns a career 56-59 big-league record and 4.75 ERA in 654 games with 11 different organizations.

--3B Ryan Zimmerman again wasted no time extending his hitting streak Thursday night. Zimmerman lined a single up the middle in the first inning at Dodger Stadium, his 25th consecutive game with a hit. This was the 10th time during the 24-year-old's streak that he got a hit in his first plate appearance. He's extended the streak with a hit in his second plate appearance nine times.

--OF Elijah Dukes took over in center field when OF Lastings Milledge was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse one week into the season. Dukes, though, hasn't been much better in center field than Milledge was. He's taken bad routes to balls and on Thursday night watched as a routine flyball fell between him and RF Adam Dunn. The Nationals don't see Dukes as a true center fielder and would prefer he play one of the corner positions eventually. But with no other viable options right now, the club is forced to play him out of position.

MEDICAL WATCH:

1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He was expected to begin a 20-day rehab stint with Class AAA Syracuse in early May.

RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April.

OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment.

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:

LHP John Lannan

LHP Scott Olsen

RHP Daniel Cabrera

RHP Shairon Martis

RHP Jordan Zimmermann

BULLPEN:

LHP Joe Beimel

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP Kip Wells

RHP Joel Hanrahan

RHP Garrett Mock

RHP Logan Kensing

LHP Ron Villone

CATCHERS:

Jesus Flores

Wil Nieves

INFIELDERS:

1B Nick Johnson

2B Anderson Hernandez

SS Cristian Guzman

3B Ryan Zimmerman

INF Ronnie Belliard

INF Alex Cintron

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Adam Dunn

CF Elijah Dukes

RF Austin Kearns

OF Josh Willingham

OF/2B Willie Harris