Maxwell out another month

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By Ben Goessling

Frustration over injuries in the Washington Nationals organization isn't limited to the major league club these days.

Class AA outfielder Justin Maxwell, one of the team's top prospects, will be out another month with a right wrist injury that has sidelined him since May 29, general manager Jim Bowden said Wednesday.

"Like so many of our injured players, he's another month away," Bowden said.

The 24-year-old hit .233 with seven homers for the Senators but had shown improved plate discipline that helped him post a .367 on-base percentage.

Picked in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, Maxwell hit .269 in a September call-up with the Nationals last season.

Progress slow with top five

Though Washington still has just more than a month to sign its top five picks from the June draft, it could be a while before any of them are in the team's minor league system.

Published reports this week said Destin Hood and Daniel Espinosa (the team's second- and third-round picks, respectively) are still at odds with the Nationals over money.

A source familiar with negotiations between the club and fifth-rounder Adrian Nieto said the high school catcher will have representatives at Nationals Park on Friday in hopes of advancing talks, which haven't occurred in two weeks.

The source said Washington has offered slot money for Nieto, roughly $185,000, but added, "If they can't offer more than that, they didn't do their homework."