The Nationals will place both Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada on the 15-day DL tomorrow and probably won't have either of their veteran catchers available for a while.

An MRI taken today on Lo Duca's right hand revealed a fracture of the fourth metacarpal bone. It probably was already slightly broken weeks ago when Lo Duca was hit in the hand by a pitch and landed on the DL for the first time, then was made worse last night when he fouled off a pitch in the seventh inning and recoiled in agony. The club says he's likely to miss four to six weeks, though that's a very rough estimate.

Estrada, meanwhile, is headed back to the DL also with ulnar neuritis in his right elbow. Basically, the surgery he had during the offseason to repair the elbow hasn't worked and possibly even made it worse. Estrada said he's talked to a few other players who have had similar injuries who said it took them a year to fully recover, though he remains confident he'll be back to play this season.

Who replaces those two? Jesus Flores will be recalled from Class AAA Columbus tomorrow and will become the regular starting catcher, with some help from Wil Nieves. Elijah Dukes also will be activated off the DL and will be available for the first time since straining a hamstring on Opening Night.