"Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes will spend the next several days with Class AA Harrisburg, trying to rehabilitate his left hamstring injury. In the meantime, he must deal with another problem.

Hillsborough (Fla.) Circuit Court Judge Mark Wolfe on Friday ordered that Dukes, 24, must pay $39,767 in outstanding legal fees for his estranged wife's attorneys. If he doesn't make the payment by June 5 at 5 p.m., he could face 90 days in jail.

Dukes did not attend today's hearing, which came after attorneys for NiShea Dukes filed a motion for civil contempt, a means to claim unpaid fees. Dukes, with a history of legal trouble, faced a similarly sized debt -- and a similar threat for jail time -- in January. Then, however, he was responsible for some $40,000 in unpaid child support and alimony payments. Dukes avoided jail by making the payments.

"He waited last time until the very last second to make the payment, and I'm sure this time will be no different," said Rick Escobar, an attorney who represents NiShea Dukes.

Asked on Friday if the Nationals were aware of Dukes's legal difficulties, acting general manager Mike Rizzo declined to comment. "