WASHINGTON -- Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young's lower back is not getting any better, so he is going to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to seek another opinion.

Young has been on the disabled list since April 8 because of his back and limited to just two games this season, appearing in both as a pinch-hitter.

"He is not making progress," general manager Jim Bowden said. "He can't turn after he hits. We can't get him over the hump."

Meanwhile, catcher Paul Lo Duca and outfielder Elijah Dukes are getting better while playing for Class A Potomac. On Tuesday, Lo Duca went 0-for-3, but hit the ball hard his last two times up against Winston-Salem. He didn't have any problems with his right hand, which he hurt against the Braves on April 13.

Lo Duca is hoping to play one more game and be activated from the disabled list after that.

In the same game, Dukes (right hamstring strain) drove in the game-winning run and played left field without any problems. In the second game of the doubleheader, Dukes went 0-2 with a walk and a run scored.

Dukes has to produce with the bat in the Minors before he returns in the big leagues.