Nats' Catchers Lo Duca, Estrada Placed On Disabled List

Houston, TX (AHN) - The Washington Nationals on Friday placed two catchers, Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada, on the 15-day disabled list because of injuries.

Lo Duca suffered a broken right hand in the Nationals' road game at Houston on Wednesday night. The hand was the same one injured in middle April and forced him to miss nearly three weeks of action.

The former New York Mets catcher had just come off the DL and was playing in his fifth game since his return when he re-injured the hand. Washington manager Manny Acta believes the catcher may be sidelined for up to six weeks.

Estrada, signed from Milwaukee during the off-season, is suffering from ulnar neuritis in his right elbow. He has seen action in just 17 games this season.

"He's not making any progress and his elbow is bothering him," Acta told the Associated Press. "He's going to see another doctor and we'll go from there."

To make room for Lo Duca and Estrada, the Nationals will recall catcher Jesus Flores and outfielder Elijah Dukes from Triple-A Columbus.