Nationals right fielder Laynce Nix left Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Braves after two innings because of a right groin strain. He is listed as day to day.
Nix hurt the groin in the top of the second inning. He led off the inning against Braves right-hander Tim Hudson and drew a walk. Two batters later, Chris Marrero came to the plate and hit a chopper past shortstop Alex Gonzalez for a single. Nix was rounding second when he felt a tweak in the groin, but managed to get to third base on th play. He stayed in the game, but was out by the next inning. Nix was replaced by Rick Ankiel.
Nix expects to be out of action for a few games, while the Nationals will add a player to the roster.
“It was an awkward play where I’m on first base and the chopper was hit to Alex,” Nix said. “I was trying to beat the force play at second and then it went over Alex’s head. So then I went full speed … making the turn. It was sort of an awkward scenario on the bases.”
Nix has been a pleasant surprise for the Nationals this season, hitting .257 with 16 home runs and 43 RBIs.
