MLB Player News

Padres infielder Will Middlebrooks is back in the starting lineup Monday at third base, moving Yangervis Solarte to second and Jedd Gyorko to the bench, the team announced.

Middlebrooks was given the day off Sunday, allowing Gyorko to make his first start in the last five games. Middlebrooks is hitting .239 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 71 at-bats this season.

The Padres are currently the favorites (-116) against the Astros Monday.

Padres second baseman Yangervis Solarte is back in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, according to TrueBlueLA.com.

It will be Solarte's first start at second in the last three games after getting the day off Friday in favor of  Cory Spangenberg. Solarte is hitting .308 with two home runs and nine RBI in 39 at-bats this season. He is 2 for 3 with two doubles in his career against Dodgers' starter Brandon McCarthy.

The Padres are currently the underdogs (+105) against Los Angeles.

Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte went 1 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 5-4 loss to the Rockies Wednesday.

Solarte drew the start at second base Wednesday for the first time in more than a week and batted second, swatting his home run in the top of the first inning. His presence in the lineup sent Jedd Gyorko to the bench.

"He's hitting," manager Bud Black said before the game, per MLB.com. "And Jedd is not."

Soalrte has hit .343/.378/.600 with two home runs and nine RBI in 35 at-bats.

Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Cubs.

Solarte's seventh-inning homer off reliever Jason Motte was his first of the season and continues a trend of strong play for the part-time player. Solarte has seen a handful of starts at first base and second base this season and has hit .357/.400/.571 with seven RBI in 28 at-bats.

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa ditched batting exclusively from the right side of the plate after experimenting with it during spring training. While he is hitless in five at-bats batting right-handed, he is batting .313 (5 for 16) with one double, two home runs and three RBI batting left-handed.

"Well I just think he's smooth," Nationals manager Matt Williams said, per MASNsports.com. "I think he's recognizing pitches. I think he's got a good approach at the plate. His BPs have been good from both sides really. It's quiet, and it's compact, and that's what he can do when it's right. He's got power from both sides of the plate. It's special talent when it's right, and when he's easing into it, he's got plenty. I like where he's at."

The Nationals are also pleased with Espinosa's defense, as he has played at second and third base to begin the season.

"As a defender, he's about as good as you can get at the major-league level," first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "Second and short, obviously, but he's athletic enough to play third base. With the arm he has and the instincts he has, I don't think any of us were really surprised to see him excel over there as well."

Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar is not in the lineup Sunday for a second straight day while nursing a groin injury.

Escobar started each of the team's first 11 games at third base, filling in for the injured Anthony Rendon, before sitting out Saturday with the injury. He said before Sunday's game that he's feeling better and he'll practice on the field, per MLB.com. He also indicated that his MRI only showed groin inflammation, and that he hopes to be back in the lineup Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.

Danny Espinosa will draw a second straight start at third base against the Phillies. The Nationals are heavy home favorites (-225) Sunday.

Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies. Escobar was questionable with a groin injury. He's been replaced by Danny Espinosa, who is batting seventh in the lineup.

Manager Matt Williams said Escobar "felt pretty good" Saturday morning. He will receive an MRI. 

Infielder Emmanuel Burriss is not in the starting lineup for Washington's Triple-A affiliate, Syracuse, leaving open the possibility that Escobar may be placed on the disabled list later today. 

Two other Nationals regulars are out of Saturday's lineup: Catcher Wilson Ramos and left fielder Tyler Moore. Jose Lobaton gets the start at catcher, batting eighth. Clint Robinson is in left, batting fifth. 

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa hit his second home run of the season in a 7-2 win over the Phillies Friday night. 

Espinosa connected on a 2-1 pitch from Sean O'Sullivan and sent it over the center field wall. Espinosa finished the game 1 for 3 and drew a walk. 

He's now batting .286/.444/.786 for the season. 

Yangervis Solarte will make his fourth consecutive start at second base on Tuesday for the Padres. 

Solarte is seven of 19 this season (.368) with three doubles and seven runs scored.

Jedd Gyorko, who's 3-for-21, will sit for the third straight game.

Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Manager Bud Black will use switch-hitter Yangervis Solarte at second base and slot him second in the starting lineup Sunday. Gyorko gets a break after going 3 for 21 in his first six games.

The Padres are favorites (-130) at home against the Giants Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.