MLB Player News

Padres infielder Logan Forsythe had the protective boot removed from his foot and is expected to begin jogging Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Forsythe has been sidelined since spring training due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

"By next week, you could see him in more baseball-related activities," manager Bud Black said Tuesday.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

The Padres transferred Logan Forsythe to the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday. The move was made retroactive to March 22.

Forsythe is expected to have the protective boot removed from his right foot in the near future as he continues to recover from plantar fasciitis.

Padres infielder Logan Forsythe was supposed to have the protective boot removed from his right foot last week but remained in it Monday, The U-T San Diego reports. He expects it to come off in the next few days.

"We’re not where we wanted to be," Forsythe said.

The 26-year-old has been out as he recovers from plantar fasciitis.

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.

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.