Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn left Washington's 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night with a bruised right elbow after getting hit by a pitch.
Dunn, who leads the Nationals with 35 homers and 96 RBIs, was hit by Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez in the fifth inning. Dunn remained in the game until his at-bat in the seventh, when he was replaced by a pinch-hitter.
"That was the most pain I've ever had in baseball," Dunn said, sporting a swollen, red circle near his elbow.
Still, Dunn said, "I thought it was fine -- until the feeling wouldn't come back in my hand."
Playing first base in the top of the seventh, Dunn caught a popup in the infield on a failed bunt attempt, then turned and tried to double a runner off second base. But his right-handed throw was well wide of the bag and went into the outfield.
"I've gotten hit in the elbow before, and normally what happens is, it goes away. But I got hit, I guess, right on the nerve. I really couldn't feel my hand or anything," Dunn said. "I knew it was messed up when I went to throw it to second and I threw it to (center fielder Justin) Maxwell."
Dunn said he expects to play Thursday against Houston.
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman was more cautious, saying after Wednesday's game: "We'll make a couple lineups out tomorrow, and he may or may not be in there."
Dunn, who leads the Nationals with 35 homers and 96 RBIs, was hit by Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez in the fifth inning. Dunn remained in the game until his at-bat in the seventh, when he was replaced by a pinch-hitter.
"That was the most pain I've ever had in baseball," Dunn said, sporting a swollen, red circle near his elbow.
Still, Dunn said, "I thought it was fine -- until the feeling wouldn't come back in my hand."
Playing first base in the top of the seventh, Dunn caught a popup in the infield on a failed bunt attempt, then turned and tried to double a runner off second base. But his right-handed throw was well wide of the bag and went into the outfield.
"I've gotten hit in the elbow before, and normally what happens is, it goes away. But I got hit, I guess, right on the nerve. I really couldn't feel my hand or anything," Dunn said. "I knew it was messed up when I went to throw it to second and I threw it to (center fielder Justin) Maxwell."
Dunn said he expects to play Thursday against Houston.
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman was more cautious, saying after Wednesday's game: "We'll make a couple lineups out tomorrow, and he may or may not be in there."
