Dmitri Young

won't open the season in the major leagues.

The Nationals first baseman will remain in Florida at the team's extended spring training for at least three weeks, getting more at-bats and getting himself into better playing shape, according to a club source.

Young, 35, was added to Washington's 40-man roster over the weekend and had hopes of being on the club's Opening Day roster. But team officials believe he needs more time to get his game together after missing most of spring training with a strained back.

After playing in minor-league games for more than a week, Young will be in the Nationals' big-league lineup tomorrow, serving as designated hitter against the Tigers. But while the rest of the team heads west to conclude the Grapefruit League and then north for its exhibition finales in Norfolk and Washington, Young will return to Viera and resume his workouts at the minor-league complex.

Battling back problems and diabetes, Young appeared in only 50 games last season. Still due to earn $5 million this year, he agreed over the winter to be taken off the Nationals' 40-man roster, provided the club added him back before Opening Day.

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