It looks like Dmitri Young’s career, which reached such inspiring heights two years ago with the Nationals, has come to an end under upsetting circumstances.
Young, who has been on rehab with Class AA Harrisburg all month, tore his left quadriceps muscle last week and is out for the rest of the season. And given all he’s gone through the last two years, it’s hard to believe he’s going to get another shot to play in the major leagues.
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The 35-year-old won the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2007 when the Nationals gave him a shot after a difficult year in which he battled personal, legal and professional troubles. Then-GM Jim Bowden rewarded Young with a two-year, $10 million contract extension, but the veteran first baseman played only 50 games last season and has been bothered by back problems ever since.
He opened this season on the DL but was hopeful a few weeks ago when I saw him while on rehab with Harrisburg that he could be back in the big leagues (either with the Nats or someone else) sometime soon. But he suffered the leg injury while running out a a base hit last Sunday and has returned home to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to rehab.
“I’m upset because I was feeling great, and then pop,” Young wrote in a text message. “Wasn’t the way I wanted to go out.”
If this is the end for Dmitri, what a career he had (both in good and bad ways). Here’s hoping he can now spend the rest of his days in peace and enjoying time with his baseball-loving family.
