Washington Nationals Place Danny Espinosa on DL, Recall Anthony Rendon

Anthony Rendon’s time in Washington might be starting ahead of schedule, as the infielder was recalled today with Danny Espinosa hitting the DL. (Image Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)

Having already put off the decision as long as possible, the Washington Nationals placed second baseman Danny Espinosa on the disabled list this afternoon. Anthony Rendon has been recalled to take his place on the active roster. These moves complete the team’s roster re-shuffling for the day, as they also designated Henry Rodriguez and Zach Duke for assignment while activating Jayson Werth from the DL and recalled Ian Krol.

Espinosa’s trip to the DL has been inevitable as he’s been playing for a few weeks with a fractured bone in his right wrist. The 26 year old reportedly first suffered from the injury when he was hit by a pitch in a game in late April, but he’s chosen to play through the pain and discomfort since. Espinosa has been horrendous at the plate this season, limping along to a .158/.193/.272 line in 167 PA with a shocking 47 strikeouts (28.12% of his plate appearances).

Espinosa has shown a ton of promise at the plate during his brief career, despite some unspectacular numbers. If he can find a way to remain healthy while cutting back on the strikeouts then he’ll prove to be a real force for the Nationals for the foreseeable future.

The return of Rendon to the Major Leagues was also inevitable, albeit ahead of schedule. Rendon made his debut in late April, an 8 game stint in which he hit .240/.367/.280 in 30 PA while filling in for an injured Ryan Zimmerman, before returning to the minor leagues. The organization’s top position prospect has spent most of the year at Double-A but was recently bumped up to Triple-A for the first time. Collectively he’s batting .307/.452/.575 in 166 PA on the year, but most of his playing time has come at third base. Only with his recent bump to Triple-A has Rendon begun working out at second base.

A defensive move has long seemed inevitable for Rendon, a top talent who fell to the Nationals in the 2011 Draft thanks to a lingering injury concern. He’s been a third baseman nearly his entire playing career, yet with Zimmerman locked up long term the speculation about where Rendon may move began almost immediately after he was drafted. Now, with Espinosa’s injury, Rendon’s transition to second base might be beginning quicker than anticipated.