Expos place starting 1B on injured reserve

DENVER, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The Montreal Expos placed starting first baseman Nick Johnson on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a broken cheekbone.

Johnson, 25, was hit on the right side of the face by a Royce Clayton one-hop smash during Friday's 4-3 setback to the Colorado Rockies. He was batting .251 with seven homers and 33 RBI in 73 games.

To fill Johnson's roster spot, the Expos recalled outfielder Ryan Church from Triple-A Edmonton. Church was hitting .343 with 17 homers, 29 doubles and 78 RBI in 98 games before being promoted.

Church was acquired from the Cleveland Indians with shortstop Maicer Izturis in exchange for lefthander Scott Stewart on Jan 5, 2004.