MLB Player News

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa ditched batting exclusively from the right side of the plate after experimenting with it during spring training. While he is hitless in five at-bats batting right-handed, he is batting .313 (5 for 16) with one double, two home runs and three RBI batting left-handed.

"Well I just think he's smooth," Nationals manager Matt Williams said, per MASNsports.com. "I think he's recognizing pitches. I think he's got a good approach at the plate. His BPs have been good from both sides really. It's quiet, and it's compact, and that's what he can do when it's right. He's got power from both sides of the plate. It's special talent when it's right, and when he's easing into it, he's got plenty. I like where he's at."

The Nationals are also pleased with Espinosa's defense, as he has played at second and third base to begin the season.

"As a defender, he's about as good as you can get at the major-league level," first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "Second and short, obviously, but he's athletic enough to play third base. With the arm he has and the instincts he has, I don't think any of us were really surprised to see him excel over there as well."

Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar is not in the lineup Sunday for a second straight day while nursing a groin injury.

Escobar started each of the team's first 11 games at third base, filling in for the injured Anthony Rendon, before sitting out Saturday with the injury. He said before Sunday's game that he's feeling better and he'll practice on the field, per MLB.com. He also indicated that his MRI only showed groin inflammation, and that he hopes to be back in the lineup Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.

Danny Espinosa will draw a second straight start at third base against the Phillies. The Nationals are heavy home favorites (-225) Sunday.

Rays second baseman Nick Franklin and first baseman James Loney both fielded ground balls prior to Saturday's game against the Yankees. Franklin and Loney, who are both dealing with an oblique issue, will still require minor-league rehab games before they're activated form the disabled list.

Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies. Escobar was questionable with a groin injury. He's been replaced by Danny Espinosa, who is batting seventh in the lineup.

Manager Matt Williams said Escobar "felt pretty good" Saturday morning. He will receive an MRI. 

Infielder Emmanuel Burriss is not in the starting lineup for Washington's Triple-A affiliate, Syracuse, leaving open the possibility that Escobar may be placed on the disabled list later today. 

Two other Nationals regulars are out of Saturday's lineup: Catcher Wilson Ramos and left fielder Tyler Moore. Jose Lobaton gets the start at catcher, batting eighth. Clint Robinson is in left, batting fifth. 

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa hit his second home run of the season in a 7-2 win over the Phillies Friday night. 

Espinosa connected on a 2-1 pitch from Sean O'Sullivan and sent it over the center field wall. Espinosa finished the game 1 for 3 and drew a walk. 

He's now batting .286/.444/.786 for the season. 

One general manager, who has interest in acquiring Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, indicates it is going to be difficult for the Rangers to trade Andrus now, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

While the Rangers have infield depth in the minors, it is mostly at the lower levels. Also, Jurickson Profar missing a second straight season due to shoulder problems is also making it difficult for Texas to part ways with Andrus, who is under contract through 2022.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has had plenty of success offensively in his MLB career, as evidence by his 2014 AL batting crown and his career .302 batting average.

However, one pitcher Altuve hasn't been able to solve has been Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver, who will be on the mound Friday to open a three-game series against Houston.

Altuve is batting .188 (3 for 16) in his career against Weaver. All three of his hits are singles and he has no RBI or walks. He also has three strikeouts.

Altuve is carrying a six-game hitting streak into Friday's matchup. He is batting .357 (10 for 28) with one double, one home run and three RBI in that span.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that infielder Nick Franklin (oblique) is not ready to begin a rehab assignment, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franklin has been able to take part in batting practice, but he has yet to play in a game since being placed on the disabled list before the beginning of the season.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus went deep for his first home run of the season, snapping the longest active streak in the majors without a home run (481 at-bats) during Tuesday's contest against the Angels.

Andrus took Jose Alvarez deep for a solo home run in the sixth inning for his first home run since May 21, 2015. He added a single and finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI in an 8-2 victory. He is hitting .184 (7 for 38) with a home run and four RBI in nine games.

Yangervis Solarte will make his fourth consecutive start at second base on Tuesday for the Padres. 

Solarte is seven of 19 this season (.368) with three doubles and seven runs scored.

Jedd Gyorko, who's 3-for-21, will sit for the third straight game.