MLB Player News

Espinosa went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and a walk in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Pirates.

His 423-foot shot in the second drove in Ryan Zimmerman, making it a 3-0 Nationals lead at the time. Espinosa has driven in six runs over his last four games, but is only slashing .131/.206/.295 overall in September. However, his power numbers have seen a resurgence in a season in which he's played his highest number of games since 2012, with his 23 round-trippers and 69 RBI both serving as career highs.

Frazier was a late addition to the starting lineup Thursday against the Brewers.

Jordy Mercer (forearm) was scratched from the lineup due to right forearm discomfort, leaving a vacancy on the Pirates infield. Frazier will get another chance to start, slotting in at second base while Sean Rodriguez moves over to shortstop to cover for Mercer's absence.

Frazier is out of the lineup Thursday against the Brewers.

Frazier garnered a good number of starts down the stretch with Starling Marte out, but now that the All-Star is back in the lineup, Frazier will get a day off. It's unclear how Marte's return will affect Frazier's playing time for the remainder of the season, but that should become clearer as the last week unfolds.

Frazier went 3-for-5 with a double and a pair of runs scored against Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Once again he played left field in place of the injured Starling Marte (back) and produced at the plate. He's only played 12 complete games in the 55 games he's appeared in, but is batting .390 (25-for-64) in those tilts. With Marte out, Frazier makes for a high average replacement option.

Espinosa powered the Nationals' offense Monday, going 1-for-2 with a three-run homer in a 4-3 loss to the Marlins.

The blast was Espinosa's 22nd of the year, but just his second in the last 15 games, a period over which he's hit an abysmal .146/.212/.292 while striking out 21 times in 48 at-bats. The 22 home runs mark a new career high for Espinosa, but his .384 slugging percentage is indicative of some luck in that homer tally and a potential reversion to the mean in 2017.

Drury went 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, two walks, two RBI and three runs in Sunday's 10-9 victory over the Dodgers.

Drury capped his big day at the plate with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th, propelling Arizona to victory after his team blew a six-run lead earlier in the game. The 24-year-old rookie has caught fire in September, homering five times and batting .449 with 14 RBI in 13 games. Drury's recent hot streak has pushed his batting line up to .284/.334/.461, and he now has 15 homers to go along with 26 doubles in 412 at-bats.

Bostick was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Sunday, William Ladson of MLB.com reports.

The Nats needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster after activating Joe Ross from the DL on Sunday. Bostick, who has never appeared in a major-league game, split 2016 between Double-A and Triple-A.

Solarte (personal) informed the Padres he'd like to return before the end of the season but he'll be given the time he needs after it was learned his wife passed away Saturday due to complications related to cancer.

Solarte had left the team Friday to be with his wife. There's no real timetable for his return as Solarte deals with the situation and gets his three daughters settled.

Frazier (foot) entered Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader and drew a walk.

The walking boot he wore Saturday morning before the game was purely precautionary. Frazier will continue to see time in both the outfield and infield as the Pirates look for creative ways to get his bat in the lineup.

Solarte (personal) remains out of the lineup Saturday against the Rockies.

He left the team Friday to tend to a personal matter and it's uncertain when Solarte will rejoin the club. Ryan Schimpf will replace Solarte at the hot corner again Saturday, opening the door for Alexi Amarista at second base.