Hot off the Wire news, rumors and tips

Nationals | Danny Espinosa expected to be ready for spring training

Updating a previous report, Washington Nationals 2B Danny Espinosa (shoulder) played the final six weeks of the 2012 season with a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. The injury was initially believed to be a bone bruise but was correctly diagnosed shortly after the season ended. Espinosa opted to rehab the injury instead of undergoing surgery and has spent the last several weeks strengthening the muscles around his rotator cuff. He was cleared to take dry swings Jan. 1, and began hitting balls off a tee shortly thereafter, before starting regular batting practice last week. "I feel strong now, but at the time, I couldn't do anything," he said. "If I had known (the severity of the injury), I probably would've pulled myself out. I wasn't doing anything to help the team."

Fantasy Tip: If Espinosa had decided to undergo surgery, he would have been sidelined for the first two months of the regular season. However, he is expected to be completely healthy in time for the start of spring training camp, where he is expected to compete for the second base job with INF Steve Lombardozzi.

2013-01-26 12:21:52 | Source: MASNSports.com - Dan Kolko

Access more Danny Espinosa news and rumors by clicking here....