Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Washington Nationals left fielder Wily Mo Peña almost certainly will head to the disabled list after an MRI and an examination yesterday of his left shoulder indicated several forms of damage.

Peña, who met with team orthopedist Ben Shaffer, has a small tear and impingement in his left rotator cuff, as well as fraying of the labrum in his left shoulder. Surgery will take place within 10 days, the team said.

Peña, 26, has played much of the season in pain, regularly taking anti-inflammatory medication and receiving a cortisone shot several weeks ago. Expected to provide power, Peña is hitting just .205 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 195 at-bats. During the final series before the all-star break, Manager Manny Acta said that Peña looked "lost" at the plate.

"This is certainly the main reason that he has struggled all year," General Manager Jim Bowden said via e-mail.

Also, the Class AAA Columbus Clippers released outfielder Alex Escobar, who played for Washington briefly in 2006.

-- Chico Harlan