Nationals' Johnson may miss season

Jun 24, 2008 - 5:15 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson's season is in jeopardy.

Johnson will have arthroscopic surgery to evaluate the ligaments on the ulnar side of his right wrist Tuesday and could miss the rest of the 2008 campaign, according to the team's official web site.

Johnson, 29, has been out since May 15, when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a torn tendon in his right wrist. He was expected to miss four to six weeks but still felt pain after having a protective cast removed last week.

Dr. Richard Berger, a hand and wrist specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, evaluated Johnson on Monday.

"They are going to go in - look and see what it is," general manager Jim Bowden said. "It has been a tough year for all of us with the injuries. Obviously, it's a setback. It's a disappointment."

Johnson, who missed all of last season with a right leg fracture, has had his campaign ended early due to injury three of the last four years.

He was batting .220 with five home runs and 20 RBI in 38 games this season.