WASHINGTON -- Nationals outfielder Jacob Young was scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game vs. the Pirates at Nationals Park with left hand soreness.
Dylan Crews, batting sixth, was moved to the center field spot vacated by Young and José Tena was inserted into the lineup batting seventh as designated hitter.
The 26-year-old Young went 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI, two walks and a run scored in the Nationals' 10-2 win over the Red Sox on Wednesday in Boston. He did not play in the series-opening 9-5 victory over the Pirates on Friday night.
It is not clear when Young first experienced the hand soreness, nor what caused the issue.
Young has hit .225 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs through his 83 games, though his elite defense has been the star of the show, with 11 outs above average -- in the 99th percentile amongst Major League players.
Young has narrowly missed the injured list a few times this year already, including on June 21, when he crashed into the wall at The Trop making a clutch catch, and on May 19, when he was hit by a pitch in the ribs.