MLB Player News

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon has been benched Sunday against Pittsburgh in favor of Danny Espinosa.

Rendon, who had started every game since June 4, is in a 2-for-16 mini-slump and owns a disappointing slash line on the year of .233/.333/.311.

Danny Espinosa will start at shortstop for the second straight game. Espinosa is in the Nationals' lineup, replacing Ian Desmond. 

Espinosa has started two previous games at short, the only two games that Desmond has missed this season. 

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa was a perfect 5 for 5 at the plate to lead the Nationals to a 16-4 win over the Rays on Tuesday.

Despite the five hits Tuesday, Espinosa did not drive in a run, but he did score three runs. The five hits were a season high for Espinosa.

Over his last 11 games, Espinosa is 13 for 38 with two home runs and four RBI.

Padres third baseman Yangervis Solarte is in the starting lineup for Monday's game. It's Solarte's second straight start

It's also the third game in a row that regular starter Will Middlebrooks has not been in the lineup at the position. 

The Padres have given Wil Myers the day off for Sunday's series-finale against the Dodgers. 

Myers came off of the disabled list on Thursday after recovering from a wrist injury and played the past three games. 

Yangervis Solarte will play Sunday and he's slated to hit second. Solarte will man third base in the infield. 

Nationals utility man Danny Espinosa made the first start of his career at first base Saturday and said he is willing to play anywhere the team needs him as they deal with a rash of injuries, per The Washington Post. 

Espinosa has played second base, shortstop, third base, left field and now first for the Nationals, and has provided solid defense and a surprising amount of offense. 

"I'm going to play where there's an opportunity to play right now," Espinosa said. "If that's first base or left field, I'll play. … To get in the lineup. It's why I've been working out in left and first, to get in the lineup. Be in there and try to help the team win."

Espinosa is hitting .253 on the season. 

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa will start at first base on Saturday, for the first time in his professional career. 

Espinosa has never played the position in 548 career MLB games and 75 games in the minors. 

Espinosa slides over from second base. Anthony Rendon replaces him, starting his third straight game at second base. 

Against the Brewers Thursday night, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond will not be in the starting lineup for the first time this season. 

Desmond has started all 59 games up until this point and is likely just receiving a day off. However, he's batting just .128 over his past 10 games and did have a critical error two games ago. Replacing him at shortstop will be Danny Espinosa. 

Espinosa, conversely, has been hot of late. In his past five games, he's hitting .429 with two home runs and three doubles. 

The Mets activated infielder Dilson Herrera off the 15-day disabled list Thursday. Herrera has been sidelined since May 15 due to a broken finger.

Herrera spent five games on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas and Class A St. Lucie. He hit .400 (8 for 20) with two RBI, three doubles, one run and five strikeouts.

Mets infielder Dilson Herrera will be activated off the 15-day disabled list prior to Thursday's game against the Giants, the team announced Thursday morning. Herrera has been sidelined since May 15 due to a broken finger.

Herrera spent five games on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas and Class A St. Lucie. He hit .400 (8 for 20) with two RBI, three doubles, one run and five strikeouts.