Espinosa getting job done off the bench

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa is showing consistency at the plate. Entering Sunday's action against the Phillies, Espinosa is 24-for-88 (.273) with three home runs and six RBIs.

Hitting coach Rick Schu is not surprised by Espinosa's success at the plate. According to Schu, Espinosa started making adjustments starting in Spring Training. Espinosa realizes he doesn't have to hit home runs to reach his potential. For example, he leads the Nationals in bunt base hits. Last year, Espinosa struck out too much and played with injuries. Scouts have often said he thought too much about hitting home runs and that was one of the reasons for his struggles.

"He realizes he doesn't have to hit the ball out of the park. He is using all of his tools. He can run, he can get around the ball, hit for average, bunt," Schu said. "He is in a better position, going easy and thinking about doing some things simpler."

Espinosa is playing every day at second base because third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is on the disabled list because of a fractured right thumb. That meant Anthony Rendon had to switch from second base to third. On Sunday, Espinosa was given the day off against the Phillies so Kevin Frandsen could get into the lineup.