MLB Player News

Matt Williams could be giving Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa a glimpse of his immediate future. He has been benched for the second game of the Saturday doubleheader after sitting out the first. Espinosa could make the pine his permanent spot upon the return of Bryce Harper to the lineup.

Espinosa had started 25 of the previous 27 games.

Struggling Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa could be the odd man out of the starting lineup when Bryce Harper returns off the disabled list, the Washington Post has speculated.

His presence would push Ryan Zimmerman back to third base and move Anthony Rendon to second, thereby benching Espinosa. Espinosa hasn't earned playing time with a .219/.286/.351 stat line and 91 strikeouts that ranks fifth in the major leagues. He is also hitless in his last 16 at-bats.

Nationals manager Matt Williams will not reveal how he'll employ his lineup once Bryce Harper returns, according to The Washington Post. 

Williams had previously outlined a situation where Ryan Zimmerman would shift back to third, pushing Danny Espinosa out of the lineup. Harper is expected to see time at all three outfield spots once he returns, which could give Williams more flexibility. It's unclear if Williams will stick with that plan moving forward, or if he has something else up his sleeve. 

Slumping second baseman Danny Espinosa, who was hitless in seven at-bats Tuesday night, is not in the Wednesday lineup for the Nationals in Milwaukee. His spot will be manned by Kevin Frandsen.

Espinosa has just two hits in his last 17 at-bats over the last four games and has a disturbing 88 strikeouts in 237 at-bats.

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa has rebounded from an awful May to bat .303 with a .370 on-base percentage in 19 June games. Manager Matt Williams told reporters Sunday that Espinosa has widened his stance at the plate, which is allowing him to see pitches better.

"Just simplifying," Espinosa said, per MASNsports.com. "Just continuing to do what started basically at the beginning of this month with (hitting coach) Rick Schu and just working on it diligently everyday and trying to stay with that plan."

Espinosa added he's been a lot more willing to hit for singles as opposed to swinging for the fences.

"Yeah, if it is there and I can take advantage of it to get an inning going or something and get on base where we can score a run," Espinosa said. "If I can steal a base or something like that. Bunt hits is like hitting a single. If I can take advantage of it, then I'll continue to do it."

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa won't be adding to his disturbing strikeout total Thursday unless he emerges from the bench. He has been given the game off against the Giants.

Espinosa has fanned 72 times with just 11 walks in 195 at-bats, leading to an unproductive stat line of .226/.290/.379.

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa has a six-game hitting streak after going 3 for 4 with two RBI in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Padres. Espinosa is 10 for 22 in the streak, with five RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.

He has upped his average to .232/.292/.395.

Scuffling Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa has been receiving more frequent bench time. He is out of the lineup for the Wednesday game against Miami. Kevin Frandsen is set to start instead.

Espinosa hasn't had a hit since May 20. He is 0 for 13 since as his average has fallen to .209.

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa entered play Monday against the Marlins continuing to struggle at the plate. After batting .288 through April, Espinosa is batting just .127 with 33 strikeouts in 20 May games.

"What I see from Danny is he is a little too aggressive at this point," manager Matt Williams said, per MASNsports.com. "So he is swinging at some balls that are out of the zone. That is human nature, though, when it is not going good. He knows that he can hit the ball. He knows he has got power. He knows that on any given pitch, it can turn, but he has gotten a little bit too aggressive. So we are trying to zone him back in and get him back on the plate a little bit.

"He is working on making some adjustments at the plate. So those off-days he is getting are good works days for him to really do a lot of work with (hitting coach) Rick Schu in the cage."

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa was held out of the starting lineup Sunday against the Mets for just the second time in 32 games since Ryan Zimmerman suffered a fractured thumb on April 12.

Espinosa is mired in a 6-for-51 slump through 14 May games after batting .288 in April.

"I think it's pitch selection. That's all," manager Matt Williams said before Saturday's game, per MLB.com. "I think that he is chasing balls out of the strike zone. But he's fantastic at second base, and I want to put him in there as much as I can.

"The ebbs and flows of seasons are such that sometimes that's going to happen. The good thing about Danny is he's not taking it to the field, and that's good. He's excited, he's enthusiastic, he comes ready to play every day, wants to play every day, and there's no reason that first two, three weeks of the season can't come around, starting today."