Nationals place RF Kearns on DL

Aug 27, 2008 - 2:31 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Washington Nationals on Tuesday placed right fielder Austin Kearns on the 15-day disabled list with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Kearns is expected to miss two to four weeks with the injury, which he originally suffered on August 3. After continuing to play for three weeks, he was examined Monday by orthopedist Dr. Edward Magur, who recommended rest and immobilization with a walking cast.

This is Kearns' second stint on the DL this year, having also missed 38 games following surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow on May 23. Overall, he has played in only 86 games, batting .217 with seven home runs and 32 RBI.

In a corresponding move, the Nationals activated outfielder Elijah Dukes from the 15-day disabled list. Dukes missed the last 19 games with a right calf strain. The 24-year-old is hitting .264 with six home runs and 23 RBI in 54 games. He has missed 72 games during three stints on the disabled list.