MLB Player News

White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham has struggled to find his way since returning from the disabled list, and he admitted Tuesday the lingering effects of the injury are still being felt.

"Obviously, it has affected my swing a little bit as I've come back and not hit much at all," Beckham said. "It's just a matter of time before I start getting the feel of bringing my hands through more than my body."

Beckham said that before Tuesday's game against the Cubs. He went 3 for 3 in his first three trips to the plate Tuesday, proving his comments prophetic. He is still looking for his first home run of the season, however. 

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa went 1 for 4 with a two-run home run in his team's 4-0 win over the Dodgers Monday.

Espinosa's eighth-inning home run gave his team a pair of insurance runs they ended up not needing. He struck out in each of his other three at-bats. Espinosa has hit .269/.317/.473 with four home runs, eight RBI and four stolen bases in 93 at-bats.

White Sox infielder Marcus Semien went 2 for 5 with an RBI double in the 12th inning to break a 1-1 tie in his team's 3-1 win over the Cubs Monday.

Semien entered the game 0 for 11 in his last three appearances and without driving in a run in his last four games, but he posted a solid performance in what was a difficult day for White Sox batters, who had six hits in all in the 12-inning game. He owns a .220/.275/.356 line with three home runs and 16 RBI in 132 at-bats.

Nationals hitting coach Rick Schu said infielder Danny Espinosa has been able to bounce back in 2014 because of adjustments he made during the spring. Schu said Espinosa has realized he doesn't need to hit for power to make an impact.

"He realizes he doesn't have to hit the ball out of the park. He is using all of his tools. He can run, he can get around the ball, hit for average, bunt," Schu said, per MLB.com. "He is in a better position, going easy and thinking about doing some things simpler."

Mired in a 4-for-46 slump in his last 12 games, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was dropped from second to ninth in the batting order Sunday against the Angels. The last time Andrus hit ninth was 2012, and he hasn't hit ninth regularly since 2009.

"It’s not the first time it’s happened," Andrus said. "As long as I’m in the lineup somewhere, I’m happy. I know I’m scuffling a little bit right now. If [manager Ron Washington] thinks somebody else hitting second for now will help the team until I get my timing back, then that is what is best for the team."

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa was not in the team's starting lineup Sunday against the Phillies.

Espinosa will be replaced by Kevin Frandsen. Frandsen will actually play third, while Anthony Rendon shifts over the second. Espinosa is hitting .273 to open the year.

What do A.J. Pierzynski, Adam LaRoche, Brandon Phillips, Marcus Semien, Everth Cabrera and Brett Gardner have in common? They're all "sits" for Fantasy Week 6 (May 5-11). Billy Butler didn't qalify for the list as a DH-only player, but he's not so advisable either with the Royals playing three games at San Diego to open the week.

Of course, whether or not you can actually sit them depends on your league type and the alternatives available to you. For the reasons why you might sit them and a list of possible replacements, check out Start and Sit Hitters for Week 6.

A spate of strikeouts likely entered into the decision by Robin Ventura to slide White Sox second baseman Marcus Semien down from second to ninth in the lineup.

Semien is tied for second in the majors with 38 strikeouts in 120 at-bats. But he has otherwise been productive with 19 runs, 15 RBI and three stolen bases. He has scored 10 runs in the last 11 games, but has avoided at least one strikeout in only four games this season.

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa went 2 for 4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in his team's 7-0 win over the Astros Wednesday.

Espinosa has been a bit streaky in his most recent chance to prove himself at he major-league level, but his performance has been far superior to his abysmal 2013 season. He has hit .288/.341/.488 with three home runs, six RBI and three stolen bases in 80 at-bats.

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa, who suffered a bruised right knee when he was hit by a pitch Sunday against the Padres, is back in the lineup batting sixth Tuesday at Houston. Espinosa is hitting .278 with two homers, five RBI and two steals in 72 at-bats.