Former Detroit Tigers player Dmitri Young was sentenced yesterday to a year of probation for assaulting his former girlfriend.

Young pleaded no contest in June to a domestic violence charge but changed his plea to guilty yesterday so the case can be dismissed in a year. He was accused of assaulting 21-year-old Michelle Schumaker of Toledo, Ohio, at a Birmingham hotel on April 14.

Young had faced up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.

ROUNDUP

JOHNSON IN REHAB: Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson will transfer to a rehabilitation hospital in White Plains, N.Y., today as he recuperates after breaking his right leg in a collision with a teammate last week. Johnson will stay at that facility for a week to 10 days, then return to Washington and be examined by team doctor Ben Shaffer, before heading home to Sacramento, Calif., for offseason rehab work.

SKIPPING A START: The Detroit Tigers plan to skip Justin Verlander's start later this week to give the rookie right-hander a break before the playoffs. "He's tired, so it gives him a little extra time," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said yesterday.

RADKE VS. ROYALS: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that right-hander Brad Radke will start tomorrow's game against the Royals. Radke, who has pitched much of the season with a torn labrum and stress fracture in his throwing shoulder, felt good after a bullpen session on Monday.