Manager hopes break will revitalize Danny Espinosa
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/21/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa was on the bench for a second straight game Monday against the Giants, mired in a 1-for-30 slump. Manager Davey Johnson noted, however, he had a "good talk" with Espinosa.
"I think he's a little beat up right now," Johnson said, per MLB.com. "I hate to just sit him out, but he's certainly not doing things he knows he's capable of doing. So it's frustrating for him and he feels like he's letting everybody down. But he's trying to do his best. Sometimes just getting away from it a little bit helps."
Johnson said he's "surprised" Espinosa hasn't taken a step forward this season, but he's confident the 26-year-old infielder will turn it around.
"How you handle adversity is a large part of your success," Johnson said. "We'll get through this. Coming in this year I felt like Danny was a key guy, and if he started doing the things that he's capable of doing, it could make the year a whole lot of fun. I still feel that way."
Danny Espinosa gets day off
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) With just one hit over the last four games, the Nationals opted to give infielder Danny Espinosa the day off to clear his head Thursday against the Padres.
Espinosa is batting just .177 on the season, with three home runs and 12 RBI.
Danny Espinosa 'trying to do too much'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts Tuesday against the Dodgers, putting him in an 0-for-13 slump in his last three games and dropping his season average to .175.
"Danny's best side is right-handed. [Left-hander Clayton] Kershaw made some good pitches on him and he had some pitches to hit and I think he is trying to do too much," manager Davey Johnson said after Tuesday's game, per MLB.com.
Teammate Tyler Moore is also mired in a hitting slump and hitting coach Rick Eckstein said they are struggling because both players are missing on fastballs.
"They have to get back on the fastball," Eckstein said. "You can't be in between. …. When you are facing guys as tough as Kershaw, you are not going to get too many pitches that are over the heart of the plate. The breaking stuff, when it's down in the zone, it has late sharp bite on it. It's pretty good. You have to get on the fastball. Anytime you are sitting in between, you are late on the heater and early in the off speed. You have to get back on the heater."
Danny Espinosa coming back to life
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa picked up a hit for the fifth time in six May games Friday, as he continues to try to turn his season around. Espinosa now has five RBI and a .273 batting average in May after he hit just .173 in April.
Epinosa will never been known for his batting average, as he has yet to hit better than .250 in a season. But he is also certainly better than he looked in April, making him a solid buy-low candidate for Fantasy owners.
If you are looking for a potentially cheap source of power from the middle infield position, Fantasy owners can do worse than trying to poach Espinosa from a disgruntled owner.
Danny Espinosa enjoying strong May
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa bumped his May line to .357/.375/.643 with a 2-for-3 performance Wednesday against the Tigers. After finishing April with a .173/.212/.333 line, he owns a .200 batting average for the first time since April 10.
Danny Espinosa using benching as motivation
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa was not in Wednesday's lineup, and is using his benching as a motivation to improve, according to the Washington Times.
Manager Davey Johnson clarified comments he made Wednesday, and indicated that Espinosa could return to the starting lineup Thursday. Espinosa was initially expected to be benched for the Braves series.
While he wasn't happy about the reduced playing time, Espinosa expressed he would work hard to make sure this doesn't happen again. The second baseman said, "I’ll take these two days and just use them for motivation. Use it in a positive way, the best I can, and when I get my next opportunity to play, I’m going to come back stronger than I’ve ever been." Stephen Lombardozzi started in Espinosa's place Wednesday.
Danny Espinosa not concerned about shoulder
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa might be struggling, but he's not concerned about his injured shoulder.
Espinosa spent most of the offseason strengthening muscles around his torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. Espinosa is hitting just .173 to start the year, but said his shoulder is "great," and hasn't given him any problems this season. Espinosa also said he's been happy with his approach this year, but his batted balls are turning into outs. His .197 BABIP supports that theory.
Danny Espinosa could lose playing time
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa will not start at second during the team's next two games.
Nationals manager Davey Johnson told a Washington radio station that Stephen Lombardozzi will start the next two games against the Braves. In 85 at-bats this season, Espinosa is hitting just .173/.212/.333.
Danny Espinosa takes second shot
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/27/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa finished 0 for 4 with a walk during his first appearance as the No. 2 hitter in a 6-3 win over Cincinnati on Saturday. Espinosa, typically the sixth or seventh hitter in the batting order this season, was moved higher in the lineup with the hope he would receive better pitches in front of Bryce Harper.
"I want him to think about line drives, getting on base and that kind of thing," manager Davey Johnson told MLB.com.
Entering play Saturday, Espinosa was 12 for 65 (.185) with two homers and just six RBI through 20 games.
Danny Espinosa shows signs of life
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa has struggled to get going, but he showed encouraging signs Thursday against the Reds in his best performance of the season.
Espinosa powered the Nationals to an 8-1 win, going 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He drove in three runs in the game, doubling his total for the season. Espinosa also scored twice.
Espinosa is batting .177 with eight extra-base hits, seven runs and six RBI in 62 at-bats. Thursday was his first game with multiple extra-base hits.
Danny Espinosa doubles in return
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa returned to the lineup Saturday afternoon against the Mets.
Espinosa doubled in the second and grounded out three times. He finished 1 for 4 in a 7-6 victory. Espinosa is hitting .182 with a home run and three RBI in 44 at-bats.
Danny Espinosa jumps back into lineup
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa returned to the lineup for Saturday's contest against the Mets following a four-game absence due to a lingering wrist injury. Espinosa said Friday the stiffness in his right wrist had subsided after being plunked by a pitch during the series finale against Atlanta on Sunday.
He assumed his spot at second base for Washington as he attempts to push his batting average over .200 for the first time this season.
Danny Espinosa could return Saturday
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/19/2013) Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa will not play Friday against the Mets, but he hopes to return in time for Saturday's game. Espinosa has been out since Sunday after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch, but he took batting practice for the first time Friday. He told the Washington Times that the injury has improved greatly.
"It's going to be painful for a while to touch," he said. "It's just a bone bruise and it's right on he skin, there's no meat around it. All the stiffness and the swelling has actually gone out of my wrist the last couple days so my hand strength and the way my wrist moves, it feels a lot better."
Manager Davey Johnson wants to see Espinosa go through a full workout Saturday before declaring him return to return.
"He’s an iron man," Johnson said. "If I see him go through a full workout he'll be available (Saturday). My rule is if I see him go through a full workout and make it out all right then they can play the next day. He hasn’t even had BP on the field (before Friday), so he’s not available."
Danny Espinosa out again Friday
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/19/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa remains out of the lineup with a wrist injury Friday against the Mets, the club announced.
Espinosa hasn't played since taking a pitch off his wrist Sunday. He participated in early batting practice but remains day-to-day for now. Steve Lombardozzi gets the start at second base in his place.
Danny Espinosa 50/50 for Friday return
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) Nationals manager Davey Johnson revealed Thursday that second baseman Danny Espinosa, who was out of the lineup again Wednesday, is "50/50" to return Friday, according to multiple reports.
Espinosa hasn't played since Sunday while dealing with a bruised wrist. He has hit .175/.233/.350 with one home run in 43 plate appearances this season.
Danny Espinosa likely to return Friday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Nationals manager Davey Johnson suggested that second baseman Danny Espinosa could return to action Friday against the Mets in New York, according to the Washington Post.
Espinosa has already missed two games due to a bruised right wrist. Though he still has a bruise across the middle of his forearm, the 25-year-old claims his wrist is "better than before.” Steve Lombardozzi is expected to start in his place Wednesday.
Danny Espinosa not available off the bench
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) The swelling on Danny Espinosa's right wrist has gone down and the bruising has mostly migrated to his forearm, according to the Washington Times. The second baseman was out of the Nationals' starting lineup for the second-straight day and is not expected to be available off the bench Tuesday.
Danny Espinosa misses a second start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) As expected, Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa missed a second-straight start Tuesday at Miami because of a bruised right wrist. Espinosa, who hopes to be back Wednesday, was again replaced by Stephen Lombardozzi in the lineup.
The 25-year-old had a bruise on his right wrist after getting hit by a pitch Sunday.
“Painwise, it’s the same to the touch,” he said. “The swelling has increased so much that everything has got extremely stiff. The bruising is starting to settle in the back and all over my forearm and in my hand. The grip strength on my two fingers is a little weak, not weak, it’s stiff. It’s really stiff. It’s sore but I would say that the swelling is what’s making it hurt so bad.”
Espinosa is batting .175 (7 for 40) through 12 games with one homer and three RBI. He is being considered day to day.
“But I’m really hoping Wednesday, take the next two days and Wednesday is my goal,” he said.
Danny Espinosa not in Monday's lineup
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa is not in the team's lineup Monday.
Espinosa left Sunday's game after taking a pitch off his right wrist. He was able to stay in the game and play the field, but had to be removed before his next at-bat. X-rays on his wrist came back negative. Espinosa is considered day-to-day.
Danny Espinosa could miss some time
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Nationals manager Davey Johnson said second baseman Danny Espinosa could miss a game or two after suffering a hand injury during Sunday's game against Atlanta, MASNsports.com reports. Espinosa left in the fifth inning with a sore right hand, but X-rays after the game returned negative.
Danny Espinosa removed early
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa left Sunday's game against Atlanta in the fifth inning due to a sore right hand, the team announced. Espinosa was drilled by a pitch on the hand earlier in the game, and was replaced by Stephen Lombardozzi.
A day after hitting his first home run of the season, Espinosa finished with only one plate appearance before the early exit. He is hitting .175 on the season.
Danny Espinosa going back to having fun
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/11/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa is emerging from his 0-for-11 slump to begin the season. Espinosa is batting .316 (6 for 19) with two walks, two RBI and four doubles in his last five games.
Espinosa said he has a new attitude toward dealing with slumps, according to The Washington Post.
"There were certain times last year where the frustration would kick in and it would eat me alive." Espinosa said. "I’d go home. I’d think about it. I couldn’t let anything go. Now this year, I want to go back to having fun, like I did in the minor leagues."
Danny Espinosa drives in first two runs
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa doubled in two runs in Wednesday's win over the White Sox for his first RBI of the season. He also added a single in four at-bats, lifting his season line to .200/.250/.333 in 32 plate appearances.
Danny Espinosa scores run but hitless after two games
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa went 0 for 4 in Wednesday's game against the Marlins, making him hitless in seven at-bats over his first two games.
He scored a run after reaching first on an error.
Espinosa has only faced Thursday starter Wade LeBlanc once in his career, but he performs much better against southpaws historically, hitting .276/.346/.467 over 357 plate appearances against them in his career.
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa connected on his second home run of the spring in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Mets. Espinosa took starter Domingo Tapia deep in the second inning for his only hit in two at-bats. The power display raises Espinosa's line to .347/.372/.493 in 75 spring at-bats.
Still can't trust Danny Espinosa
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) Nationals second baseman Danny Espinona is doing his best this spring to make me believe his torn rotator cuff won't be a problem. Through 21 spring games, Espinosa is batting .317 (19 for 60) with three doubles and five RBI. He's also hitting .297 (11 for 37) against right-handed pitchers, which has been a problem for him in the past.
Yet, I'm still skeptical Espinosa will last over the long season. He said he feels stronger now than he has in the past and his numbers are proving it. But I still worried he might wear down as the season progresses. If Espinosa dealt with this injury over an entire season in the past, then we would have a better idea of how he might deal with the injury. But the fact we don't have that history concerns me.
Espinosa continues to be a late-round Fantasy option despite a productive spring.
Espinosa feels stronger
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/11/2013)The Washington Post reports Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa said Monday he will not play in the World Baseball Classic in order to focus on rehabbing his injured left shoulder. Espinosa added he actually feels stronger now than in the past despite a torn rotator cuff. “I feel effortless when I swing," Espinosa said. "I take BP and I don’t feel like I’m having to try to put a charge in the ball. I feel like I’m strong again. I haven’t felt this strength in my shoulder like this in forever. I’ve never done the exercises that they’ve had me doing, and the amount that they’ve had me doing. I feel strong. I feel easy when I swing. I don’t feel any pain, which is awesome. I feel good. I feel strong enough to this point that nothing is going to hold me back."
Espinosa has torn rotator cuff
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (1/26/2013) Washington shortstop Danny Espinosa is dealing with a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, reports MLB.com Saturday. The injury was described as a bone bruise in September, however, more extensive damage was found. Espinosa expects to be medically cleared before spring training.
