ALCIDES ESCOBAR NEWS

Returns to action Friday Escobar (finger) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth Friday against the Astros.

Impact Escobar was sidelined the past three games while dealing with an infection under the nail of his left index finger, but he's been cleared to retake the field Friday. The veteran infielder has hits in six of he past seven contests and is 11-for-25 with a triple, a double, three RBI and three runs during that stretch.

MAY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Walker, Mets cruise past Nats 4-1, win another series

Taijuan Walker pitched seven no-fuss innings and the New York Mets remained unbeaten in 10 series this season, cruising past the sloppy Washington Nationals 4-1

MAY 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains out Escobar (finger) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Dee Strange-Gordon will draw a third consecutive start at shortstop while Escobar continues to experience pain in his left index finger while he deals with an infection nail. If the issue persists heading into the weekend, Escobar could be a candidate to go on the 10-day injured list.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Soto, Cruz pound Mets' Megill early, Nationals win 8-3

Juan Soto and Nelson Cruz homered as the Nationals sent Mets right-hander Tylor Megill to the earliest exit of his career, and Washington beat New York 8-3

MAY 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Still sidelined Wednesday Escobar (finger) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Dee Strange-Gordon will stick as the Nationals' shortstop for the third time in four games while Escobar sits out due to an infection on the nail of his left index finger. The Nationals don't seem too concerned about the issue, and Escobar was able to make an appearance off the bench in Tuesday's 4-2 loss, which seemingly signals that he's on track to avoid a trip to the injured list.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Should play Wednesday Escobar sat out Tuesday's loss to the Mets due to an infection under the nail on his left pointer finger, but he received treatment and should play Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MAS...

Impact Escobar was a late scratch Tuesday due to the injury but isn't expected to miss any additional time. He had a .744 OPS in 75 games for Washington last year but has struggled early in 2022 with a .220/.281/.268 slash line.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Late scratch Tuesday Escobar was scratched from the lineup Tuesday against the Mets for unspecified reasons.

Impact Escobar was penciled in to start at shortstop, per usual, but was instead removed from the starting nine a little over an hour prior to first pitch. He should be considered day-to-day until more information in available, while Dee Strange-Gordon starts at shortstop in his place.

MAY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ohtani, Rendon rally Angels past Nationals 5-4 in 9th

Shohei Ohtani hit a tying, two-run double in the ninth inning, Anthony Rendon followed with a game-ending single against his former team and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Washing...

MAY 8, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not in lineup Escobar will sit Saturday against the Angels, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Impact Escobar has struggled at the plate this season, hitting 205/.271/.256, though he does have nine hits in his last six games. Dee Strange-Gordon will take over at shortstop Saturday.

MAY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hampson, Rodgers, Grichuk hit HRs, Rockies beat Nats 9-7

Garrett Hampson and Brendan Rodgers each hit three-run home runs for the Colorado Rockies in a 9-7 win over the Washington Nationals

MAY 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joe, Rockies take advantage of Nats' miscues in 5-2 win

Jose Iglesias had a two-run double and Connor Joe a two-run triple in consecutive at-bats in the fourth inning after a crucial error by shortstop Alcides Escobar, and the Colorado...

MAY 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes seat Sunday Escobar is not in the lineup Sunday against the Giants.

Impact Escobar started the first two games of the series and will head to the bench despite going 5-for-8 with a double, two RBI and two runs. Lucius Fox will step in at shortstop Sunday for Washington.

MAY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vosler, Ruf spark Giants' offense in 9-3 win over Nationals

Jason Vosler homered and Darin Ruf had three hits for the San Francisco Giants, who were missing several players with COVID-19 but still beat the Washington Nationals 9-3

APRIL 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Soto, Nats end 8-game skid, rout virus-ravaged Giants 14-4

Juan Soto homered and the Washington Nationals pounded out a season-high 22 hits, ending an eight-game losing streak by beating the virus-ravaged San Francisco Giants 14-4

APRIL 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On bench Thursday Escobar will sit Thursday against the Marlins, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Escobar finds himself on the bench for the second straight game. The 35-year-old hasn't made a strong case for everyday at-bats this season, hitting .123/.194/.140. Lucius Fox will take over at shortstop.

APRIL 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

López's ERA to 0.39; Marlins edge Nats 2-1 for 4 wins in row

Pablo López lowered his majors-best ERA to 0.39 by throwing six shutout innings, Jesús Aguilar homered, and the Miami Marlins moved above

APRIL 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes seat Wednesday Escobar is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Impact The 35-year-old will be getting a routine maintenance day after starting in each of the Nationals' last six games and going 1-for-22 at the dish. Lucius Fox replaces Escobar at shortstop.

APRIL 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wood, four Giants relievers stifle Nationals in 5-2 win

Alex Wood pitched five effective innings and San Francisco’s bullpen closed it out, leading the Giants to a 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals

APRIL 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nats angered by Kapler's late aggression in Giants' 7-1 win

Austin Slater smacked a three-run homer as part of a seven-run second inning against struggling Washington starter Patrick Corbin, and the San Francisco Giants cruised past the Nat...

APRIL 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hits bench for evening game Escobar will sit for the second half of Tuesday's doubleheader against Arizona, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Escobar went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI as the Nationals won the day game by a 6-1 score. Lucius Fox takes over as the shortstop for the nightcap.

APRIL 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Tuesday's lineup Escobar will sit Tuesday against Atlanta.

Impact Escobar started the first three games of the season but now finds himself on the bench for the second time in three days. He's gone just 1-for-15 at the plate thus far, striking out seven times. Lucius Fox will take over at shortstop.

APRIL 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Sunday Escobar is not in Sunday's lineup against the Mets, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Escobar started each of the team's first three games, though he has collected only one hit in 10 plate appearances while striking out five times. Lucius Fox will take over at shortstop while hitting eighth.

APRIL 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Draws back into lineup Escobar (neck) will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Escobar sat out Monday's game against the Cardinals with neck stiffness, but he'll be back in action for the Nationals' spring finale. Assuming Escobar avoids any setbacks Tuesday, he'll be set to open the season as Washington's everyday shortstop after Luis Garcia was unable to supplant him atop the depth chart before being optioned to Triple-A Rochester. Escobar's top backup, Ehire Adrianza (quadriceps), is set to open the season on the injured list, so Lucius Fox will step into the backup role at shortstop but isn't expected to see much use behind Escobar.

APRIL 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with stiff neck Escobar won't play in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals due to a stiff neck, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact The Nationals are viewing Escobar as day-to-day for now, but the timing of the injury is less than ideal with the team's season opener versus the Mets just three days away. With Escobar's health suddenly in question and Ehire Adrianza (quadriceps) on track to begin the season on the injured list, the Nationals brought up Lucius Fox from Triple-A Rochester to provide some extra insurance at shortstop. Fox would most likely pick up the Opening Day start Thursday if Escobar can't go.

APRIL 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could be Opening Day shortstop Escobar "is going to play every day" this season according to Nationals manager Dave Martinez, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact It's a bit of a head-scratcher why Martinez would commit to a 35-year-old starting shortstop in Escobar instead of handing the reins to 21-year-old Luis Garcia, who was thought to be the heir apparent to Trea Turner, but the manager wants the youngster to prove he's ready for a starting role in the majors. "I want to make sure that Luis, when he's in the big leagues, that he's going to stay," Martinez said Friday. "I really don't want him to platoon; I want him to play every day. And he did a lot better last year against left-handed pitching, which was good, so I want to see him consistently do the little things every day." This could just be a motivational tool directed at Garcia, but he has minor-league options left and if he does wind beginning the season at Triple-A, Escobar would have the shortstop job to himself. The former Royal batted .288/.340/.404 in 75 games for the Nats last season, his first in MLB since 2018, but even in a starting role his lack of power or speed would make him a marginal fantasy option.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE