Espinosa got a start at third base in Saturday's split-squad game against the Marlins, the Washington Post reports.

While this could be a sign that the Nats are worried Anthony Rendon (knee) won't be available for Opening Day, it could also be as simple as getting Espinosa better acclimated to his utility role this season. He's having a rough spring at the plate as he adapts to hitting exclusively from the right side, posting a .138/.219/.310 slash line with a 3:9 BB:K ratio in 29 at-bats.

Espinosa went 1-for-2 on Tuesday with a double off Dan Haren.

It's his first hit of the spring off a right-handed pitcher,a potentially important first milestone as Espinosa tries to adjust to being nearly exclusively a right-handed hitter. He's still ticketed for a bench role, however, so even if the transition goes smoothly, his fantasy value will be limited.

Although Espinosa is focused on learning to hit right-handed against right-handed pitching this spring, he won't completely abandon his swing from the left side, the Washington Post reports.

Comments by Nationals manager Matt Williams suggest that Espinosa will only be hitting left-handed in an emergency situation, but this seems like a hedge by the organization in case Espinosa's efforts in righty-righty matchups prove to be even worse than the extremely poor results (a 532 OPS) he managed hitting left-handed last season. With Yunel Escobar brought in to be the starting second baseman anyway, Espinosa's not someone most fantasy owners need to worry about unless the righty-righty experiment goes very well this spring.

Espinosa will hit exclusively from the right side during spring training, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.

His ongoing struggles while hitting left-handed, including a .183/.241/.291 slash line and hideous 39.0 K% in 249 PAs last season, had led to speculation that Espinosa would give up switch-hitting entirely, but this is the first confirmation that he's actually committing to the idea. The Nationals plan to give him extra work in minor league games during the spring to help him adjust to seeing breaking balls from righties as a right-handed batter. The acquisition of Yunel Escobar has Espinosa ticketed for the bench to begin the season, but if he can become a more reliable asset at the plate he could re-establish his potential as a starting infielder, either in Washington or elsewhere.

Espinosa agreed to terms on a deal with the Nationals for the 2015 season to avoid arbitration.

The terms of Espinosa's deal weren't made known by the team, but he and the Nationals will avoid an arbitration hearing. The second baseman hit just .219/.283/.351 with eight home runs and 27 RBI in 2014, and will likely now have to compete with the recently-added Yunel Escobar for the starting spot at second base in 2015.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said on Tuesday that while Espinosa won't completely give up switch-hitting during spring training, he will attempt to hit right-handed versus some right-handed pitchers to get a feel for the matchup, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports. "I worry about guys that have never done it, getting out of the way of a ball that's thrown up and in from a right-hander," Williams said. "Anybody that's hit righty-righty knows that the ball chases you... He's done it in batting practice, but that's a controlled situation. Once you get in a game it's a completely different deal."

Espinosa looked lost from the left side of the plate last season, slashing just .183/.241/.291, so a move to hitting right-handed exclusively could help improve his offensive performance. A lot would have to go Espinosa's way for him to have much fantasy value in 2015, but he could end up being a more useful bench player for the Nats if the experiment works out.

Espinosa was tendered a contract prior to Tuesday's deadline.

He could get another look as the starting second baseman if the Nationals don't acquire anyone else this offseason to replace Asdrubal Cabrera, but Espinosa's .219/.283/.351 line doesn't inspire much confidence if he does get the job. He'll likely head back to the bench and provide depth at both middle infield positions.

Espinosa, replacing Asdrubal Cabrera at second base on Sunday after Cabrera suffered a minor oblique strain, went 2-for-2 with his eighth home run of the season.

Cabrera isn't expected to miss much time, but Espinosa will see regular at-bats in the short term while Cabrera heals up.

The addition of Asdrubal Cabrera will return Espinosa to a bench role.

Cabrera will take over as the starting second baseman while Ryan Zimmerman is on the DL, which at this point appears as though it will be for most of the rest of the season. Given his struggles from the left side of the plate, look for Espinosa to mainly be used as a defensive replacement down the stretch.

Danny Espinosa had a rough day at the dish in Friday's loss to the Cubs, going 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts.

He'll never be counted on to deliver a high average, but he's been a mighty disappointment slashing just .219/.286/.351 with six homers and 17 RBI on the season. At this point, he shouldn't have any use outside of NL-only formats.

Danny Espinosa went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Sunday's win over the Padres.

Espinosa came up with the bases loaded in the third inning and delivered a single, one of his three on the night. He's got a small six-game hitting streak in which he's 10-for-22 with five RBI. With Ryan Zimmerman returning as an outfielder, it appears Espinosa will hang onto his starting second base spot for the time being.

Danny Espinosa is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Marlins.

It's another start for Kevin Frandsen against a right-handed starter. It looks like Espinosa has played his way out of an opportunity here.

After striking out in each of his first three at-bats, Danny Espinosa hit a two-run homer Monday in the Nationals' 4-0 win over the Dodgers.

Anthony Rendon and Espinosa both hit two-run homers to supply all of the scoring in the game. Espinosa's homer off Pedro Baez, who was making his major league debut, served to put the game away in the eighth. His K/BB ratio is an ugly 28/4 after his recent slump, but with four homers and four steals, he's been useful in fantasy leagues with Ryan Zimmerman out.

Danny Espinosa went 2-for-4 with his third homer and his third steal Wednesday versus the Astros.

All three of Espinosa's homers have come in his last 11 games. His average has dropped a bit, but that figured to happen. As long as he continues to show some power, he'll be a useful mixed-league infielder while Ryan Zimmerman is out.

Danny Espinosa has some soreness in his right knee.

Espinosa was plunked in the knee with an Ian Kennedy fastball on Sunday and was sporting a limp in the clubhouse afterward. He expects to be fine to play Tuesday after Monday's well-timed team off day. "That will be huge," Espinosa said Sunday. "I have a feeling if I had to go tomorrow, I would do it, but it wouldn't be easy."

Danny Espinosa went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Padres.

Espinosa has put his newfound playing time to good use, slashing .317/.377/.524 in 69 plate appearances. Anthony Rendon, the club's regular second baseman, has been playing at third base since Ryan Zimmerman suffered a fractured thumb, leaving second base open for Espinosa. It's a massive turnaround for Espinosa, who hit so poorly last season that he was demoted to Triple-A.

Danny Espinosa went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Angels.

Espinosa, now a regular part of the Nats' lineup with Ryan Zimmerman on the shelf, will see plenty of playing time in the immediate future. He strikes out a lot and doesn't walk much, but will swipe the occasional bag, making him a reasonable option in deeper mixed leagues.

Danny Espinosa will bat second Tuesday against the Angels.

Nationals manager Matt Williams is moving him up in the order with left-hander Tyler Skaggs on the hill for the Angels. Espinosa is receiving regular playing time with Ryan Zimmerman (thumb) on the DL and is worth considering in deeper mixed leagues.

Danny Espinosa smacked a solo homer in Saturday's loss to the Cardinals.

It was Espinosa's first major league home run since last May 5. He had a chance to do some more damage later on, but flew out to center field with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Espinosa might not hit for a high batting average, but he should be useful in mixed fantasy leagues until Ryan Zimmerman (thumb) comes off the disabled list.

Danny Espinosa tripled in a run, doubled and scored twice against the Marlins on Monday.

Espinosa should be a decent mixed-league middle infield option while Ryan Zimmerman is out for the next 4-6 weeks. He's hitting .346 in 36 at-bats so far, and while that won't last, some more power should be on the way.