Washington Nationals News: DL decision on Yunel Escobar depends on MRI

Good afternoon DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Check out some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.

In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses Yunel Escobar‘s groin injury and whether or not he will be going on the disabled list. As Ladson notes, the team will decide whether or not Escobar is headed for a DL stint after the infielder undergoes an MRI today.

Needless to say, it’d be a tough blow for the Nationals if Escobar lands on the disabled list. He’s been one of the team’s most consistent hitters this season, and with Anthony Rendon still out for the foreseeable future, an Escobar trip to the DL would leave the Nationals thin at third base.

As Ladson notes, however, Escobar feels better today after straining his left groin Friday night and does not believe a trip to the DL is necessary. Right now, the Nationals will have to wait and see the results of the MRI before jumping to any conclusions.

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Also in today’s Daily, Jason Fletcher of Rant Sports explores the possibility of trading Denard Span. As Fletcher notes, the Nationals will have a surplus of outfielders once Span is activated from the DL, which could happen as early as tomorrow.

While it’s unlikely that the Nationals will trade Span anytime soon, it’ll be interesting to see how the Nationals will handle their outfield surplus—especially with Michael Taylor playing well as the everyday center fielder.

Be sure to check out the articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to Dod for all your Washington Nationals needs.

DL decision on Escobar depends on MRI

(Bill Ladson, MLB.com)

WASHINGTON — According to Nationals manager Matt Williams, third baseman Yunel Escobar will have an MRI on his left groin, which he strained against the Phillies on Friday night. The Nats will then decide if Escobar needs to be placed on the disabled list.

After talking with Williams and athletic trainer Lee Kuntz, Escobar said Saturday morning that he didn’t feel a need to go on the disabled list. He felt that he needed a day off and then could resume baseball activities.

“I feel a lot better,” Escobar said.

“He said he feels OK. The [MRI] will tell us more and then we’ll be able to make a decision,” Williams said. “Right now, we are waiting for him to have that test.” Read full article here.

Washington Nationals Need To Trade Denard Span

(Jason Fletcher, Rant Sports)

The Washington Nationals are about to have a crowded outfield with the impending return of CF Denard Span from the disabled list. Once he is back with the Nationals, there will be four starting caliber outfielders on the roster: Jayson Werth, Span, Bryce Harperand rookie Michael A. Taylor. Werth and Harper will be in the lineup pretty much every single day, so that leaves Span and Taylor for the center field job. The way I see it, there are four options for Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Matt Williams.

The first option would be to start Span everyday and send Taylor back down to Triple-A. I would hate this move, because Taylor is ready for the major leagues and sending him back down does nothing to help him progress as a player. Read full article here.

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