Espinosa to begin rehab stint Thursday

DENVER -- While rookie Anthony Rendon has done an admirable job filling in for Danny Espinosa at second base, Espinosa might be back with Washington to reclaim his spot soon.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Espinosa should make his first rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse Thursday. Espinosa fought through a torn left rotator cuff and then broke his right wrist in mid-April before the Nationals finally put him on the 15-day disabled list June 4.

An MRI of Espinosa's shoulder showed no new damage, and he will start a rehab schedule where he plays three innings in one game, five innings the next and seven for his final.

"I asked if he is a relief pitcher or starting pitcher, or what is he?" Johnson joked of Espinosa's schedule. "But they're just taking it easy with him."