Dunn unable to play against Astros

Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn was unable to play against the Astros on Wednesday because of lower back spasms.

Dunn hurt his back in the top of the second inning the previous day after attempting to grab a ball hit by Marlins infielder Logan Morrison. Dunn was charged with an error on the play. After that game, Dunn vowed that he would make the trip to Kissimmee, Fla., to play against Houston, but he was still in pain when he woke up Wednesday morning.

He managed to make the trip with the team and was in the starting lineup. Dunn was able to take hitting practice without a problem, but had trouble moving on defense. Manager Jim Riggleman then decided to give Dunn another day off. Dunn hopes he could play against the Cardinals on Friday.

“I felt the hitting was OK. It wasn’t as bad as I thought, but it was kind of when I was bending down, [the pain] was still kind of there,” Dunn said. “We’ll get an off day. I’ll be in there Friday. Yesterday, it got better in a hurry. I was off the trainer’s table in 45 minutes. … If it was April 17th, I’m playing.”