MLB Player News

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."

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.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus notched two triples in the team's first game of April as part of a three-hit game. Andrus hasn't picked up an extra-base hit in 12 games since then, giving him a .241/.317/.315 line through his first 62 plate appearances.

Despite the deficiency in extra-base hits, Andrus has gotten on base in all but one of his 14 games played in April.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve notched three singles, a run and an RBI while also recording his first stolen base of the year in his team's 7-5 loss to the A's Wednesday.

Altuve has hit safely in seven of his last eight games and is leading his team in batting this season with a .365/.412/.460 line in 68 plate appearances. He'll try to stay hot when the Astros open a series against the Indians Friday.

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.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve collected his sixth multi-hit game Tuesday against the Athletics. He finished 2 for 3 with one run, one double and one walk. 

Altuve, who was caught stealing on his first stolen-base attempt Tuesday, has hit safely in six of his last seven games. He's batting .400 (12 for 30) with one home run, two doubles, three walks, five runs and five RBI in that span.

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.

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.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham had successful surgery on his hamate bone Tuesday.

Beckham is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Jeff Keppinger and Tyler Greene will likely fill-in at second while Beckham is sidelined.

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.