Provided first baseman Nick Johnson can prove he is healthy, the Washington Nationals prefer use newly acquired free agent Adam Dunn in left field, two sources said today. For much of the last two seasons, injuries have prevented Johnson from being an everyday player. But Johnson, when healthy, provides plenty of advantages. He gets on base 40-percent of the time. He can hit for modest power (21 HR per 162 games, for his career). Plus, he's a splendid fielder at first base. Dunn flourishes neither at first base nor in left field, but in left, he'd displace somebody like Josh Willingham, who also has some defensive shortcomings. The bottom line is, the Nats want to give Johnson a chance to be on the field this year, and Dunn's signing doesn't change that. But, Johnson first must prove two things. First, that he is fully recovered from the 2008 tendon injury in his right wrist that limited him to 38 games last year. And second, that all the missed time hasn't taken a toll on his ability. Dunn, one of the sources said, has agreed to play either first base or left field. Essentially, Washington has six players -- Dunn, Johnson, Willingham, Austin Kearns, Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge -- that it feels can be everyday players. The team has everyday spots for only four of them. Injuries/health might sort out some of the decision-making automatically. Plus, the Nats suddenly have numerous trade options. Of course, no Opening Day lineup is set in stone, and spring training performances will also help sort things out. Johnson, to be sure, wants a chance to play every day, and has been working out in Viera, Fla., since last week with hitting coach Rick Eckstein. "If I'm healthy, I want to be out there," he said this morning. He ought to have that chance in DC. --

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