Dmitri Young demoted to minors

Washington Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young was outrighted to triple-A Syracuse on Monday, the latest setback for the 2007 National League comeback player of the year.

Young played in only 50 games this year, batting .280 with four homers and 10 runs batted in in 150 at-bats.

He missed time with a lower-back injury and while receiving treatment for diabetes. He was shut down for the season after straining his left hip while running the bases during a minor-league rehab assignment in early September.

Young resurrected his career with the Nationals in 2007, coming back from personal, professional, legal and substance abuse problems to hit .320 and earn a spot in the all-star game.

Washington rewarded him with a two-year, $10-million US contract extension.