As reported by mlb.com, the Nationals optioned center fielder Lastings Milledge to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. The club has not announced a corresponding move.
Milledge is off to a slow start, batting .167 (4-for-24) with one RBI, while playing mediocre defense in center.
The team had warned Milledge about a possible demotion since Opening Day. Members of the organization were upset that Milledge was late for a meeting held by manager Manny Acta the day before, and they wanted Milledge to sit out for Opening Day. Acta refused, however, so the team fined Milledge instead.
The move most likely means that Elijah Dukes will be the everyday center fielder. He is swinging a hot bat, going 8-for-21 (.381) with a home run and five RBIs in six games.
Who didn’t see this coming…
