NEW YORK, July 28 (UPI) -- Washington Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young Saturday inked a two-year contract extension worth $10 million.
The former Detroit Tiger, who was the Nationals' lone 2007 all-star, was out of baseball last season trying to recover from major problems with his health and personal life.
He was recovered from baseball's scrap heap by Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden when no other teams would talk to him this spring.
Young has been a pleasant surprise for the young Nationals with his jovial demeanor in the dugout and clubhouse.
Before the second game of a doubleheader Saturday night against the New York Mets, he was batting .331 with nine homers, 53 RBI and an on-base percentage of .384.
His comeback season has helped compensate for the loss of long-ball threat Nick Johnson -- who suffered a severe left leg injury last season, and has experienced pain in his hip during his recovery, for which cortisone shots have been necessary.
