"Eligible to come off the disabled list today, Nationals backup catcher Ivan Rodriguez will instead miss an additional significant amount of time with a strained right oblique. After suffering a setback while taking batting practice in Houston, Rodriguez will spend a week at home in Miami working with a physical therapist and could miss several more weeks on the disabled list, Manager Davey Johnson said.

Rodriguez tweaked his strained oblique muscle taking batting practice Wednesday in Houston, Johnson said. The Nationals are concerned Rodriguez would be at risk of tearing his oblique if tried to comeback.

"Pudge is not doing too good," Johnson said.

Rodriguez was present in the Nationals clubhouse before today's game, but he will leave the team to head to Miami, where he will work out with a longtime personal trainer who also works for the Miami Heat."