The Nationals outrighted first baseman Dmitri Young to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, opening up a fifth spot on the organization’s 40-man roster.
The move caps a trying year for Young, 35. He spent time on the disabled list early in the season and did not play after July 11 as he fought to control his weight and the diabetes he was diagnosed with last November. He finished with just 150 at-bats.
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Young spent time in an alcohol rehabilitation clinic in 2006. He was also diagnosed with depression that year and convicted of assault in Michigan. Invited to spring training as a reclamation project with Washington in 2007, Young won the first-base job, batting .320 with 13 home runs, and earned a spot on the National League All-Star team.
That summer he signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension and after the season was named National League comeback player of the year. By accepting his demotion to Syracuse, Young is still owed the remaining $5 million. He could have chosen free agency.
