MLB Player News

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa is still drawing interest from "a lot of teams," but the Nationals aren't expected to trade him, MLB.com reports.

Epinosa could potentially man second base in 2015, with Anthony Rendon moving to third base and Ryan Zimmerman shifting to first base. He made the 25-man roster as a bench player this season. Espinosa is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2013 season in which he hit .158/.193/.272 in 158 at-bats at the major-league level.

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa will play regularly, according to CSN.

Manager Matt Williams said Espinosa and Anthony Rendon both players will "get ample opportunity to play." Rendon is set to start Monday, but Espinosa could work his way into the starting lineup sooner than expected. 

Nationals manager Matt Williams said Friday that he's not ready to name a starter at second base, CSNWashington.com reports.

Anthony Rendon, who has hit .344/.421/.500 in 32 at-bats this spring, is the heavy favorite to serve as the regular second baseman. Danny Espinosa is likely ticketed for a utility role.

Though Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said the race is still wide open, the team appears to be leaning in the direction of Brad Miller as the starting shortstop with opening day looming. That leaves Nick Franklin as a potential odd man out, and CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports numerous teams are ready to pounce if the Mariners decide to make him available via trade.

According to the report, the Tigers are looking into Franklin to fill their shortstop vacancy, but they aren't alone. The Mets, Rays and Orioles are also showing interest in the 23-year-old, who is batting .253/.333/.412 in the spring.

At this point, it is not clear if any team has approached the Mariners regarding Franklin's availability. He was rated the No. 79 prospect in the game a year ago by Baseball America, and acquitted himself decently at the major-league level. He hit .225/.303/.382 with 12 home runs and 45 RBI in 102 games for the Mariners, albeit in one of the league's toughest ballparks. 

The Orioles have entered the fray for infielder Nick Franklin, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The Mariners are considering dealing the infielder. Brad Miller has wrapped up the job at shortstop, and the club signed Robinson Cano in the offseason, pushing Franklin out of a role. The Orioles would use Franklin at second base, where Jemile Weeks and Jonathan Schoop have been competing during camp.

Franklin has also been pursued by the Rays and Mets. He hit .225/.303/.382 in 369 at-bats last year.

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada's shaky play this spring has renewed concerns for management he will not be able to handle the starting shortstop job. Therefore, the Mets are continuing to monitor the shortstop market, according to the New York Daily News.

A team source said Tuesday the Mets continue to scout Mariners infielder Nick Franklin, as they decide whether or not Franklin can play shortstop well enough to justify his offensive potential and giving up a starting pitcher prospect for him.

Also, a source for another team told the Daily News the Mets are also monitoring the Diamondbacks' shortstop competition, and "could jump in" to make a trade for Didi Gregorius or Chris Owings before spring training ends. Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said recently he would consider trading one of his young shortstops, ideally for a top catching prospect, which would likely be Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki.

There is also free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew, but there is no indication from Drew's agent, Scott Boras, that his client would be willing to sign a bargain-type contract.

Nationals middle infielder Danny Espinosa, whose production at the plate has never made up for his strikeouts, is taking a different approach with the bat this spring. He is looking to take outside pitches to the opposite field.

"He takes healthy cuts because that's what he does, Matt Williams told Comcast SportsNet. "But (hitting coach Rick Schu) is talking to him about being able to take what they give you a little bit more. Not necessarily cutting your swing down, but taking a little bit of what they're giving you ... and he's working on that."

Espinosa, who is battling Anthony Rendon for the starting job at second base and is also working at shortstop, batted a disturbing .158 last year in losing the position and getting demoted.

The Mets aren't the only team interested in trading for Mariners infielder Nick Franklin. The Rays are also looking at possible trades involving Franklin, sources told CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

A Mets insider confirmed an ESPN report that New York could be a team the Mariners might engage in trade talks regarding infielder Nick Franklin.

The source said the two sides talked at the winter meetings about a deal involving Franklin. The talks are expected to resume in the next month with Seattle having an excess infielder and the Mets having the type of pitching talent the Mariners would want in a trade.

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa could see some time at short during the regular season, according to MASN.

Manager Matt Williams talked about the decision to utilize Espinosa at short during spring drills, saying he sees Espinosa as capable of playing both spots. Williams added that he envisions Espinosa doing that during the season. If Ian Desmond needs time, Espinosa could replace him, Williams said.

Espinosa seemed happy about the change, saying it was fun and more challenging to take balls at short. He added that he's been told he's going to get a lot of at-bats during the spring. Last season, he hit .158 in 158 at-bats.