Injury Notes: Espinosa, Goon Squad

Sorry everyone, no more news on Bryce Harper. You can leave this page if that’s what you were looking for.

For those of you concerned that Danny Espinosa would boot Anthony Rendonout of the lineup once he got healthy, worry no longer. The Nationals formally activated Espinosa from the DL today, but immediately optioned him to the minors too. Espinosa had been struggling mightily with the Nats before being placed on the DL, hitting .158, and showed no improvement in his AAA rehab stint. He was just 2-17 (.118), striking out ten times. If Rendon keeps hitting, and all indications are he will, Espinosa could spend the rest of the year in Syracuse.

May 21, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa (8) shows the umpire the ball after tagging out San Francisco Giants center fielder Angel Pagan (16) while attempting to steal second base during the second inning at AT

The Nats’ bench also has a few injury woes. Roger Bernadina was slated to start in left field in last night’s game, but was scratched with an eye infection. He will see a doctor, but it does not sound particularly serious. The same goes for Chad Tracy, who has a strain in his side but is not expected to miss any time. In fact, Tracy was in the on-deck circle tonight but was pulled when the Phillies changed pitchers. He said it may affect him for the next few days, after which he’ll be fine.