MLB Player News

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa is getting time at shortstop during camp, according to The Washington Post. 

Espinosa is expected to compete for the starting job at second base, but also has experience playing shortstop. If he loses out to Anthony Rendon, Espinosa could be used as a utility infielder. His glove has typically been his biggest asset, and some scouts believe he can handle short defensively. The team could also be trying to boost his value in order to deal him.

Espinosa hit .158/.193/.272 in 158 at-bats in the majors last season.

Nationals manager Matt Williams reiterated Sunday there is an "open competition" at second base between Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa. Williams added there is "no favorite at this point."

Williams added Espinosa will also see time at shortstop this spring, while Rendon will get some playing time at third base.

The Nationals have been discussing a potential trade for Rays catcher Jose Lobaton for a while, seriously and reportedly for more than a month, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The paper suggests the Rays could be targeting Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa, who said he's been by told by the Nationals he will compete for the starting job at second base this spring.

Second baseman Danny Espinosa has been targeted by at least a dozen teams, but the Nationals are not eager to trade him despite his disappointing 2013 season, according to MLB.com.

Anthony Rendon is ahead of Espinosa in the battle for the starting spot, but the latter will compete for it in training camp. Rendon ran with his opportunity upon the demotion of Espinosa a year ago, batting .265 with 35 RBI in 98 games while playing solid defense.

Espinosa played most of the season at Triple-A Syracuse and fanned 148 times in 471 at-bats at both levels combined. Espinosa must make more consistent contact this spring to have any chance at earning the starting job.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said infielder Danny Espinosa is going to receive a lot of playing time this spring, as Espinosa tries to earn his way onto the roster and potentially into the starting lineup at second base.

"We're going to get him a lot of reps at short, we're going to get him a lot of reps at second base. He's going to get a lot of at-bats, and get his stroke feeling good. And if he can do all those things, he's got a chance to be a really integral part of the team," Williams said, per MASNsports.com.

Williams seems to have a lot of confidence Espinosa can bounce back after being banished to the minors last season.

"I just think that there's great potential there," Williams said. "And I'm not alone. There were multiple calls, as I understand it, from teams throughout baseball about him this offseason. So I'm not the only one thinking that, or the Nationals aren't the only one thinking that.

"Now he's got to put it together and he's got to play. And he's got to play well, and he's got to be effective. So that's the objective going in."

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa is headed to spring training with a renewed outlook after general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Matt Williams told him during the offseason he will have the chance to compete for the starting job at second base, according to MLB.com.

"Matt and Mike Rizzo both called me in the offseason and told me I’m going to get a fair opportunity to win my job back, and that’s all I can ask for," Espinosa said. "I’ve never asked for anything to be handed to me. But if I get a fair opportunity to win my job back, I feel like I can do it."

Espinosa attributes his poor performance in 2013, which resulted in him eventually losing the starting second-base job to Anthony Rendon, to a small fracture in his right wrist he sustained early in the season, which was originally diagnosed as a bone bruise.

"There was times I couldn’t pick my bat up with one hand," Espinosa said. "So my wrist was just in a bad place, and I shouldn’t have been playing on it, but I made the choice to try to play on it."

Espinosa is encouraged heading into 2014. He's been working with a personal trainer in the offseason and is back to lifting weights after a rotator cuff injury prevented him from doing so last season.

"I’m probably stronger at this point in my career than I’ve ever been in my life," he said. "My trainer has done an unbelievable job, he’s put me in a really good place. I feel physically I’m at the top of where I could ever be, almost. He’s done everything for me to get back to where I was and get beyond that, strength-wise. So I feel great."

The Rays have acquired infielder Logan Forsythe from the Padres in a four-player trade, MLBDailyDish.com reports. Rays pitcher Alex Torres is likely headed to San Diego, with each team expected to receive an additional prospect.

Forsythe turned 27 in January and won't be eligible for arbitration until after the 2014 season. He hit .214/.281/.332 with six home runs, 19 RBI and six stolen bases in 220 at-bats last season.

Torres turned 26 in December and won't be eligible for arbitration until after the 2016 season. He saw his first extended big-league action last season, going 4-2 with a 1.71 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 62:20 K:BB ratio in 58 innings.

The trade is expected to be announced Friday but has not been finalized as of yet.

Multiple teams have contacted the Padres with interest in infielder Logan Forsythe, MLBDailyDish.com reports.

The Yankees have previously been tied to Forsythe, but apparently they aren't the only team to call the Padres with interest in the infielder. He hit .214/.281/.332 with six home runs, 19 RBI and six stolen bases in 220 at-bats last season.

The Yankees have inquired with the Padres about acquiring infield depth, with Padres infielder Logan Forsythe being the most realistic target, FOX Sports 1 reports.

The Yankees don't have enough talent at the minor-league level to make a run at third baseman Chase Headley, but Forsythe could work as part of a platoon at third base, though he has spent a majority of his major-league time at second base, which is another area of concern for the Yankees.

Forsythe hit .214/.281/.332 with six home runs, 19 RBI and six stolen bases in 220 at-bats with the Padres last season. He has hit .290/.363/.430 in 221 major-league at-bats against left-handed pitching over three seasons.

The Nationals may elect to hold second baseman Danny Espinosa, according to FoxSports.com.

Espinosa struggled last season, hitting .158/.193/.272 in 158 at-bats before being demoted. Washington is hoping to use Espinosa as a utility player despite interest from a couple teams, including the Yankees. The Nationals dealt utility man Steve Lombardozzi earlier in the offseason.