Nats place 2B Belliard on 15-day DL

The Nationals placed 2B Ronnie Belliard on the 15-day disabled list Monday night, retroactive to Friday, and plan to recall right-handed pitcher Chris Schroder from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday. Belliard has been bothered by a strained left calf. "He was getting better, so he came out early and tried to run and test it, and he reinjured it," manager Manny Acta said following Monday night's 4-0 win over the Phillies.

The Nationals took their first lead of the three-game series against the Marlins in the third inning of Sunday's finale. Ronnie Belliard hit a two-run home run, his second of the season, off Scott Olsen to give Washington a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately, they would lose the game 5-4 and were swept. Belliard finished 1-for-3 wiht one walk.

The Washington Post reports that Ronnie Belliard had an infection in his fingernails that cost him a few days, and he was also dealing with a back problem. The Nationals didn't announce the problems because they wanted opposing teams to think manager Manny Acta had Belliard as a card to play as a pinch hitter. He went 0-for-4 on Thursday at Houston.

Nationals 2B Ronnie Belliard's last start came on April 20 at Florida. He has appeared in three games since, with only three walks in that span.