Rodriguez likely headed to disabled list with strained oblique

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

July 07, 2011, 7:43pm

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Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez suffered a strained right oblique during batting practice Thursday against the Chicago Cub, and the injury is likely to send the veteran backstop on the 15-day disabled list. "Those things happen just like this and got me today," Rodriguez said. "I have never experienced this kind of injury. It never happens to me. We will see what happens tomorrow. We will take it day to day. If tomorrow is not better, (then) we will need a catcher." Rodriguez said Nationals trainers iced the injury about five to six times today. When the injury occurred during batting practice, Rodriguez was visibly upset as he headed to the clubhouse. He was scratched from the starting lineup and replaced by Wilson Ramos. "I am disappointed," Rodriguez said. "I am always ready to play. To be honest with you, I never get hurt, and it got me today. It got me during batting practice (when I) prepare myself to play the game. I was fine and then in batting practice it just happened." If Rodriguez is placed on the disabled list, Jesus Flores would get the call to return to the big leagues from the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.