Espinosa still struggling in Minors

WASHINGTON -- Since returning to the Minor Leagues, second baseman Danny Espinosa has struggled at the plate, going 6-for-64 (.094) with 33 strikeouts for Triple-A Syracuse entering Wednesday.

Manager Davey Johnson has been watching Espinosa on his computer and believes he needs to improve his mental approach at the plate. Johnson has always believed that Espinosa can be a quality hitter in the big leagues. There is no timetable as to when Espinosa will return to the Major Leagues, but Johnson believes he will be back before the season is over.

"I think he has a misguided opinion that it's OK to hit .220 and hit 20 home runs," Johnson said. "He has the talent to be a real good hitter and put the ball in play. It's kind of like playing golf. You want to hit the fairways and greens before you want to hit it 300 yards in the woods.

"He is very motivated, very driven young man. He'll get it, but he is also hard headed. He reminds me a lot of myself. He'll get it."

Espinosa has dealt with a torn left rotator cuff and a broken right wrist this season, and Johnson believes Espinosa is 100 percent healthy.