Boone Heads To Disabled List With Calf Strain

The Washington Nationals announced yesterday that first baseman Aaron Boone was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Monday with a left calf strain. Boone left with tightness in his calf during the eighth inning of Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He said he started feeling soreness in his leg when he left the dugout to pinch-run. He said he initially thought the pain was caused by a cramp.

"I think we're going to try to push it, but I think realistically I wasn't going to be back by this weekend," Boone said. "By retroactive, when the time's up, I'll be ready to go.

"A strain is new to me. I'll work to get it right, and hopefully I'll be ready to work when the time expires."

"We are not anticipating him getting better before the all-star break," Manager Manny Acta said. "I think it's a good decision."

Zimmerman, Bowden Optimistic

Ryan Zimmerman, out with a labral tear in his left shoulder, took batting practice for the third consecutive day yesterday. General Manager Jim Bowden said the organization is pleased with Zimmerman's progress and that officials hope he can begin a rehab stint in the minors by early next week.

"I think we'll know by August 1 if [the rehab] is working," Bowden said. "The way he's responding right now appears that it's going to. But I've done this long enough to know that you can have a setback. So [by] August 1, I think we'll know one way or the other."

Bowden said there is a chance Zimmerman could be back by late July but still may face the possibility of surgery.

"I want to continue to build up my endurance," Zimmerman said. "When you don't hit for a month, you forget how much energy it takes to swing." . . .

Acta said the team still has not received word from the league about a possible suspension for pitcher Odalis Pérez. Pérez was ejected after arguing with umpire Angel Hernández following two balk calls in Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Arizona.

Staff writer Chico Harlan contributed to this report.