Good evening 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, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes gives us an update on Stephen Strasburg, who has been on the disabled list since May 30 with a strained left trapezius muscle. As Janes notes, Strasburg continues to progress in his recovery and is set to make his first rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg Wednesday.
Needless to say, this is great news for the Nationals. While Strasburg hasn’t been the Ace he’s been in years past—he has a 6.55 ERA in 45 1/3 innings this season—it’s possible that his time on the disabled list allowed him to address the mechanical flaws he’s had this season.
If Strasburg comes back healthy and with his mechanics in check, the Nationals’ rotation might finally live up to the historic expectations it carried into the season. And with the Nationals in a heated, albeit, underwhelming race for their second consecutive NL East title, a healthy Strasburg might be exactly what the team needs to climb not only to the top of the division, but to the top of the National League as a whole once/if the offense becomes more consistent.
With Strasburg nearing his return, some of the Nationals’ injury concerns should start to dissipate in the coming weeks. Strasburg and fellow starter Doug Fister should both be back in the very near future, and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman shouldn’t be too far behind.
The Nationals have struggled mightily of late but they’ve won two games in a row, are still over .500 and sit just a half game back of the New York Mets for first place in the NL East. Once the team starts to get healthy and the offense climbs out of its June slump, there’s no doubt that the team can start piling up wins down the stretch.
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Also in today’s Daily, the Post’s James Wagner discusses super-utility player Danny Espinosa‘s willingness to play whatever position the Nationals need him to play. As Wagner notes, Espinosa—a middle infielder by trade—has already played left field and first base this season and is willing to play anywhere so long as it gives him an opportunity to help the team win.
Espinosa’s willingness to play wherever the Nationals need him to play is great for him and for the team. For Espinosa, who has played very well this season, it gives him the opportunity to play on a near-daily basis in what is an otherwise crowded starting lineup. For the Nationals, it gives the team a chance to play Espinosa without taking Yunel Escobar or Ian Desmond out of the game.
Having a player like Espinosa is a huge asset for the Nationals. As the team has already learned this season, it’s impossible to make it through a 162 game season without injuries—big and small. With players like Zimmerman and Jayson Werth on the disabled list, Espinosa can step in and help the team win when some of its biggest stars can’t. And for a team with World Series aspirations, a player with the versatility of Espinosa is invaluable.
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.
Stephen Strasburg to make rehab start Wednesday
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
TAMPA — Stephen Strasburg will make a rehab start with Class AA Harrisburg Wednesday, the Senators announced Monday morning. The right-hander has been on the disabled list since May 30, sidelined by what was officially called a strained left trapezius muscle, but what Manager Matt Williams described as back discomfort. The trouble led to the least effective stretch of Strasburg’s career, and a 6.55 ERA in 45 1/3 innings this season.
“It was a combination of underlying injuries and mechanics, but it’s feeling much better,” Strasburg said. Read full article here.
Danny Espinosa on playing first base: ‘I’m going to play where there’s an opportunity’
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
Before he made his career debut at first base on Saturday, Danny Espinosa gave his teammate one command: “Don’t bounce it. Just throw it to me and I’ll catch it.” Espinosa is the Nationals’ best infield defender but a series of decisions and injuries to other players throughout the season led him to this: holding a first baseman’s mitt and standing at a new position against the Brewers for his first-ever start there.
“It was enjoyable,” Espinosa said after the game. “You’re in all the plays. I enjoyed that part. Keep my mind on defense.” Read full article here.