The Nationals requested release waivers of Escobar on Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
The 35-year-old has appeared in only seven games with six plate appearances since returning from a hamstring injury in late June, and Washington has opted to move on in order to make room on the roster for Luke Voit. Escobar has a .218/.260/.282 slash line and career-high 24.4 percent strikeout rate in 42 games this year.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Cleared to return from IL
Rotowire
The Nationals activated Escobar (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Washington already had a spot on the 26-man active roster open for Escobar after optioning reliever Cory Abbott to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's win over the Phillies. Though Escobar's hamstring appears to be fully healed after a successful four-game rehab assignment with Rochester last week, the veteran will have to settle for a utility role as he rejoins the big club. Manager Dave Martinez announced last week that Luis Garcia will remain the Nationals' everyday shortstop after performing well in that capacity while Escobar was on the shelf.
Escobar (hamstring) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Escobar progressed to fielding grounders recently but had still been feeling pain when running. However, he's apparently moved past the discomfort since he's been cleared to return to game action with the Triple-A club Wednesday. Once the 35-year-old is cleared to rejoin the Nationals, he'll be utilized as a utility man since manager Dave Martinez committed to Luis Garcia as the primary shortstop Wednesday.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Not ready to return
Rotowire
Escobar (hamstring) has been able to field grounders and swing but is still feeling his injury when he runs, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Escobar is already eligible to return from the 10-day injured list, but it looks as though he'll need a bit more time. He may not be the primary shortstop once healthy, as Luis Garcia has looked good since getting called up to replace the injured veteran.
Escobar checked out fine after leaving Tuesday's game against the Mets with hamstring cramps, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Escobar suffered the injury while making a diving attempt in the field Tuesday, but it doesn't sound like a serious issue.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Placed on 10-day IL
Rotowire
Escobar (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.
After leaving Tuesday's contest early with a right hamstring strain, Escobar will now be out for at least 10 days after being placed on the IL. Luis Garcia was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday to fill in at shortstop.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Leaves with apparent injury
Rotowire
Escobar was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mets with an apparent right leg injury, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The veteran infielder suffered the injury while making a diving play at shortstop, and he was helped off the field by the training staff. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but Escobar's availability for Wednesday's series finale in New York is now in question.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Hits bench for nightcap
Rotowire
Escobar will sit for the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies.
Escobar went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the Nationals' 13-7 victory in the first half of the doubleheader, but the 35-year-old won't be asked to start twice in one day. Dee Strange-Gordon will take over at shortstop for the nightcap.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Riding pine Thursday
Rotowire
Escobar isn't starting Thursday against the Rockies, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Escobar has lost out on some playing time at shortstop recently, and he'll head to the bench for the fourth time in the last six games while Dee Strange-Gordon starts at shortstop and bats eighth. Over 13 games since the start of May, Escobar has hit .256 with a triple, a double, three RBI and two runs.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Heads to bench Tuesday
Rotowire
Escobar is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.
Escobar still looks to have the edge on Dee Strange-Gordon for the everyday shortstop role, but the former himself on the bench more frequently in the past couple weeks while he's dealt with minor injuries. The 35-year-old's lack of productivity at the plate has also been a factor; Escobar is getting on base at a .257 clip and has mustered only four extra-base hits through 109 plate appearances this season. Strange-Gordon (.422 OPS in 38 plate appearances) hasn't been any more productive, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the Nationals looked to the minor-league ranks or outside the organization at some point in search of an upgrade at the position.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Returns to lineup
Rotowire
Escobar (undisclosed) is back in action Monday against the Dodgers, batting ninth and playing shortstop, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Escobar was scratched Saturday for undisclosed reasons and remained on the bench Sunday, but whatever he was dealing with evidently wasn't a major issue. The veteran will return to his starting role at shortstop, but he's still unlikely to be of much use to fantasy teams, as he's hitting .202/.255/.253 on the year.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Remains out Sunday
Rotowire
Escobar (undisclosed) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
Escobar will take a seat for the second day in a row after he was initially scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's 5-1 loss due to an unspecified issue. Dee Strange-Gordon will pick up another start at shortstop in Escobar's stead.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Scratched from lineup
Rotowire
Escobar was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers for an undisclosed reason.
Escobar was initially listed as the starting shortstop Saturday, but the Nationals issued a new lineup with Dee Strange-Gordon starting at shortstop and batting ninth. It's not yet clear whether Escobar is dealing with an injury or whether he'll be available off the bench.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Regains playing time
Rotowire
Escobar will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Late last week, Escobar appeared to have slipped behind Dee Strange-Gordon on the depth chart at shortstop, but Escobar has seemingly re-emerged as manager Dave Martinez's preferred option. Escobar will pick up his second consecutive start Wednesday and finds himself in the lineup for the fourth time in six contests.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Losing work at shortstop
Rotowire
Escobar is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Since shaking off a finger injury and returning to the lineup Friday, Escobar will sit for the second time in three contests. He may have moved into a timeshare at shortstop with Dee Strange-Gordon, who picks up the starting nod Monday. Manager Dave Martinez will likely be inclined to ride the hotter bat of the two players moving forward.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Returns to action Friday
Rotowire
Escobar (finger) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth Friday against the Astros.
Escobar was sidelined the past three games while dealing with an infection under the nail of his left index finger, but he's been cleared to retake the field Friday. The veteran infielder has hits in six of his past seven contests, going 11-for-25 with a triple, a double, three RBI and three runs during that stretch.
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Nationals' Alcides Escobar: Not in Saturday's lineup
Rotowire
Escobar isn't starting Saturday against the Astros.
Escobar returned to the lineup Friday against Houston and went 0-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout. He'll get a breather Saturday while Dee Strange-Gordon starts at shortstop and bats eighth.
