WASHINGTON -- First baseman Dmitri Young is preparing for the future with the Nationals. After the team completes its nine-game, 11-day road trip, which starts on Monday, Young is planning to start practicing in left field.

During his career, Young has played 403 games in left field and 102 games in right, but he hasn't played in the outfield since the 2005 season.

Young knew the moment he signed with the Nationals in February that his time at first base would be limited because of the presence of Nick Johnson, who is currently on the disabled list while rehabbing from a broken right leg.

Johnson has made such tremendous progress that the team is hoping he will return to action sometime before the All-Star break. Johnson has not put a timetable on his return.

"Playing the outfield is OK," Young said. "I like left field. I want to get my bat in the lineup."

On the other hand, there's a possibility that Young may not get a chance to play the outfield for the Nationals. The Nationals have left it open since Spring Training that Young could be traded for prospects provided he had a good season. Entering Saturday's action, Young is hitting a respectable .275 with three home runs and 11 RBIs.

"It could happen, but I'm not looking at that," Young said. "At the same time, I'm here to play."

Young would like to stay with the Nationals, as he put it, "until someone like Chris Marrero is ready [to play in the big leagues]."

Young likes the front office and atmosphere in the clubhouse.

"I'm having a good time," Young said. "The environment is nice, the clubhouse is good, the front office is stellar. You couldn't ask for a better situation."

Minor League news: Class A Potomac found itself in a fracas with Winston-Salem (a White Sox affiliate) on Thursday, and two players from Potomac were injured.

Catcher Brian Peacock suffered hairline fractures to his vertebrae and was placed on the disabled list, while right-hander Clint Everts had to miss a start because of a blow to the head. Potomac has not identified the Winston-Salem players who were involved.

"We take the matter extremely serious," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "[Director of player development] Bobby Williams is handling the situation with our manager Randy Knorr. We want to make sure that there is no fighting in baseball. We are investigating the entire situation."

Helping out in Columbus: On April 20, the Nationals acquired veteran shortstop Manny Alexander from the Padres for a player to be named later in the hopes that Alexander could improve the defense for Triple-A Columbus.

Alexander has played 11 seasons in the Majors. His best came year came in 1999, when he hit .271 on a part-time basis for the Cubs.

Entering Saturday's action, Alexander is 4-for-14 (.286) with a home run and four RBIs.

"We needed to improve our defense at shortstop," Bowden said. "We have some pitchers in Double-A that might be going to Triple-A soon. It's important that the shortstop catches the ball when they throw a nice ground ball. We haven't had the range that we wanted there. We wanted to stabilize the team a little bit."

Alexander has played Major League Baseball for 11 seasons. His best came year came in 1999, when his hit .271 on a part-time basis for the Cubs.

Give it a rest: Catcher Brian Schneider did not start on Saturday night against the Mets because of a bad cold. Backup Jesus Flores received the nod instead and batted eighth in the lineup.

Injury report: Cristian Guzman, on the disabled list because of a hamstring strain, went 1-for-3 and played five innings at shortstop during an extended spring game on Saturday. The Nationals are hoping that Guzman can return to action within a week.

The Nationals are expected to activate reliever Ray King from the disabled list on Sunday. The team has not decided the corresponding move yet as late Saturday night.

Stat of the day: Entering Saturday's action, the Nationals are 2-14 when their opponent scores first this season.

Did you know? Entering Saturday's action, Felipe Lopez ranks fourth in the National League in multi-hit games with 10.

Coming up: The Nationals play the third game of a three-game series against the Mets at RFK Stadium on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET. Washington right-hander Jason Bergmann will face Mets right-hander John Maine.