Dehydrated Patterson sent home

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VIERA, Fla. -- Washington Nationals ace John Patterson had to be sent home from the ballpark yesterday after suffering from dehydration, a freak medical emergency that club officials say shouldn't affect the right-hander's status for Opening Day.

Manager Manny Acta said Patterson complained of being dehydrated shortly after the Nationals took batting practice in preparation for yesterday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals and "kind of passed out."

Patterson was given intravenous fluids and was sent home to rest. He'll be reevaluated today, but a team official said he's still scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles.

"He had some dehydration, kind of passed out," Acta said. "They took him in for some tests and they released him. Tomorrow he comes over here. We'll reevaluate him, he'll do some light work and we'll go from there."

Acta said Patterson wasn't doing any strenuous pregame work, only shagging fly balls in the outfield during batting practice on a windy, 74-degree day at Space Coast Stadium.

He last pitched on Friday, throwing four innings against the Detroit Tigers and complaining afterward that he felt tired toward the end of his outing.

The Nationals will continue to take precautions with Patterson and other players, watching for warning signs of dehydration.

"It's scary," Acta said. "Almost every year, whether it's football or baseball, something happens on the field. You don't take it lightly."

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Shawn Hill wasn't his sharpest in his final Grapefruit League start yesterday, but the right-hander still emerged without allowing an earned run over 51/3 innings.