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US Presswire photo Danny Espinosa has four hits in his last 15 at-bats. |
Espinosa has been dealing with a bone bruise in his left shoulder and received a cortisone shot last week to relieve the pain, but Johnson said the benching had nothing to do with that and was instead performance related.
"I think he's been pressing a little bit lately," Johnson said. "He's been swinging awfully hard. I just wanted to let him sit back and relax a little bit."
Espinosa did go 0-for-3 with a walk and three strikeouts during Tuesday night's series opener at Citizens Bank Park, but he collected three hits (including a double) on Monday against the Brewers.
In eight games since receiving the cortisone shot, he's hitting .348 (8-for-23) with three doubles, four walks and six strikeouts.
"The last couple games, it looks like he's been over-swinging," Johnson said. "I know he's an intense competitor. I'm sure he thinks I'm an idiot. And maybe I am."
Johnson also cited Espinosa's career numbers against Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick (3-for-16 with a double, three walks and four strikeouts). Lombardozzi is 3-for-11 against the right-hander.
Espinosa expressed surprise upon arriving in the clubhouse today and not finding him name on the lineup card. He insisted his shoulder wasn't bothering him at all.
"I feel 100 percent," he said. "That's [Johnson's] decision. So go ask his reasoning. I'd like to know, too."
Lombardozzi had been getting consistent playing time through much of the season's first half, filling in for injured regulars Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, Michael Morse and Jayson Werth. But with all of those players now back healthy, the rookie has returned to the bench. He's received only 31 plate appearances over the Nationals' last 28 games, hitting .200 during that span.
"One of the guys I've really slighted the most is Lombo," Johnson said. "He was an everyday player, and probably playing as good as anybody. If memory serves me correct, he was hitting almost .300 and I just shut him down and started playing the other guys when they got healthy. ... His playing time was diminished, and he can play."
22 comments:
180 strike outs for a middle infielder. That is just unbelievable. Have to ask my buddy Manassas Nats Fan what the all time record is for second basemen. He has got to be getting close. Manassas, you out there?
NatsJack/Gonat/Andrew.. I read this story and thought of our conversation from the other night, saw that Luke was saying Rendon was going to get some time at 2B.
NatsJack.. can't wait to here the report from Instructs
Lombo is terrific at the plate and keeping him engaged heading into the post season is a good idea. We're blessed to have so much great talent on this team.
Lombo is terrific at the plate and keeping him engaged heading into the post season is a good idea. We're blessed to have so much great talent on this team.
Let's go, Steeeveee! Clap. Clap. Clap clap clap!
Espi has 144 hits in 568 AB's for a .254 average. Now lets say that every time he got 2 strikes on him he choked up an inch and just tried to hit a line drive somewhere. Out of those 180 strike outs how many flares, or 10 hoppers thru the infield for hits would he get. 20 hits, which is almost a given puts him at .290. Say he sprays 30 hits......now he's at .306. Out of all that "whiffing" he has only 16 homers and 50 ribbies. Danny could be a stud with the right guidance.
MicheleS said...
NatsJack/Gonat/Andrew.. I read this story and thought of our conversation from the other night, saw that Luke was saying Rendon was going to get some time at 2B.
NatsJack.. can't wait to here the report from Instructs
September 26, 2012 6:25 PM
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Rendon needs a position and while Danny is Gold Glove at 2nd, Rendon was the nation's #1 hitter at Rice and known to have a good glove himself.
I agree with Davey that Espi's been swinging too hard. He's trying to hit home runs when he should be just swinging for a base hit and let the home runs come when they come.
Rendon needs to get above the Mendoza line in AA before you start talking about him
BigCat said...
Espi has 144 hits in 568 AB's for a .254 average. Now lets say that every time he got 2 strikes on him he choked up an inch and just tried to hit a line drive somewhere. Out of those 180 strike outs how many flares, or 10 hoppers thru the infield for hits would he get. 20 hits, which is almost a given puts him at .290. Say he sprays 30 hits......now he's at .306. Out of all that "whiffing" he has only 16 homers and 50 ribbies. Danny could be a stud with the right guidance.
September 26, 2012 6:37 PM
I think you're on to something there, BigCat.
MicheleS
Have you read any reporting that the Nats plan to play Rendon at 2B in the AFL, or was this in the nature of rumor or "I wish they'd..."?
There was some reporting last spring, by our esteemed host and others, that the Nats were thinking of trying Rendon out at 2B in the minors, but then he got injured and played 3B exclusively when he returned.
The only thing I've heard since seems to come from those who want to throw Danny overboard, and dreaming of Rendon as his replacement.
As for tonight...
Good luck to Lombo. He doesn't have Danny's ceiling, but I like him as a player, and as Mark points out, he hasn't been getting regular playing time lately.
This is proof that the hardest time to "be a hero" is when you're TRYING to be one.
Never did like it when it was clear that a player was coming up in what I call "hero mode."
Wait! I thought Espi was a lock for the Hall of Fame, the best athlete on the team with a higher ceiling than Bryce Harper. And he's getting benched for Lombo?
Danny has 60 extra base hits...not too many MI's who usually bat 7th can match that...Slap hitting 2Bs are hard to find, I'd rather have a guy with Danny's pop than a punch and Judy....
I believe Weeks struck out over200 last year
He needs to shorten swing with 2 strikes.
Hiram.. there are reports that Rendon will be trying 2B during the Florida Instructional league. We will have to see how he does there first before Espi gets thrown overboard. Plus Rendon has to stay healthy for a season.
Michele, are there actually reports, or just peric proclamations?
222 Luke over at Nationals Prospects reported that Rendon would be getting some work at 2B. Peric has Rendon slated at 3B moving Zim to 1B
Not a bad idea to have Rendon get experience at every position that he's capable of playing. Who knows where the best opening for him will be.
MicheleS
Thanks. I knew it had been talked about back in the spring, and I think they may try it out next spring and next year.
But these "reports" re the AFL still seem fishy to me--those AFL teams are sort of Frankenstein monsters put together from the pieces of different clubs and coaching staffs, which seems like an odd place to try out something like this. But we will see.
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