Espinosa went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored Wednesday against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

A continued strong start to the season is going to be crucial for Espinosa, who needs to establish his place in the Washington lineup in order to hold off top prospect Trea Turner. That means the career .230 hitter needs to show improved plate discipline and contact skills lest he wind up as a utility player.

Espinosa made two spectacular plays at shortstop Saturday, turning a ground ball deep in the hole into a Jeter-esque jump-throw to retire Tommy Pham in the second inning and then knocking down a Ruben Tejada line drive up the middle and recovering in time to gun him down at first in the fourth inning.

EDGE Analysis

He continues to struggle at the plate, hitting just .111 (3-for-27) on the spring, but Espinosa's defensive chops will ensure that he gets the nod at shortstop for the Nationals on Opening Day. His hold on the job may not last long, however, especially if Trea Turner gets off to a hot start at Triple-A.

Espinosa went 0-for-3 Tuesday against the Astros, and is now 0-for-17 with eight strikeouts in Grapefruit League play, the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Neither he nor the Nationals seem concerned, and Trea Turner isn't putting a whole lot of pressure on Espinosa with a .190 (4-for-21) start of his own. Still, if Espinosa continues to struggle at the plate over the next couple of weeks, the team may have to look at other options for their Opening Day shortstop.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker fell just short of naming Espinosa his Opening Day shortstop following Monday's intrasquad game, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This isn't much of a surprise, but the question for the Nats at shortstop is more when they intend to bring up top prospect Trea Turner rather than if. Espinosa may be the starter at the beginning of April, but his stint could be a short one.

Espinosa (hamstring) agreed to a one-year, $2.875 million deal with the Nationals on Friday, avoiding arbitration, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

EDGE Analysis

It seems that Espinosa is the favorite to open the season as the Nationals' starting shortstop (he will qualify at second base). However, the expectation is that Trea Turner will be up to challenge him for at-bats at some point in the first half of the season, meaning Espinosa could spend the majority of the year as a utility infielder. When he is starting, Espinosa figures to hit near the bottom of the Nationals' lineup, so there are plenty of reasons to look elsewhere to fill a middle infield spot in mixed leagues.

The signing of Daniel Murphy ensures that Espinosa will begin 2016 coming off the bench.

EDGE Analysis

This was always the most likely outcome anyway, but until the Murphy signing the Nationals didn't have an established option at second base. Given the checkered injury histories of most of the team's starting lineup, though, including Murphy, third baseman Anthony Rendon, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and left fielder Jayson Werth, as well as unproven rookie Trea Turner at shortstop, there could be plenty of work available for Espinosa if he continues to transition into a super-utility role.

Espinosa was extended a contract offer by the Nationals on Wednesday

EDGE Analysis

Espinosa's time with the Nationals will continue in 2016. He batted .240/.311/.409 throughout 2015 and hit 13 home runs. For a middle infielder he does strike out too much and doesn't offer a lot of speed. Due to the health issues of Anthony Rendon in 2015, Espinosa played more than expected. It's fair to assume that Espinosa will open up the 2016 season as a utility backup for the infield.

Espinosa (hamstring) is done for the season, CSN Mid-Atlantic's Mark Zuckerman reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will require four weeks of rehab for Espinosa to be able to return from the slight tear of his hamsting, so his season is over. It will be interesting to see what his role is in 2016 with Ian Desmond likely leaving in free agency and Trea Turner and Wilmer Difo seemingly ready to step into significant roles in the middle infield. Espinosa had a .753 OPS against lefties and a .709 OPS against righties while playing above average defense this season.

Espinosa has a small tear in his hamstring, Chelsea James of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Matt Williams did not declare how long Espinosa might be out, but that type of injury could impact his availability for remainder of the season. If Espinosa does indeed miss some time, Trea Turner could see a few spot starts down the stretch.

Espinosa is dealing with a strained hamstring, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.

EDGE Analysis

As such, Espinosa is not in Monday's lineup, and he'll undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity of the ailment. It appears as though the Nationals are expecting Espinosa to miss at least a few games, and further details will emerge following Tuesday's evaluation.