In the last few minutes, the Washington Nationals released the following reports via the team's official Twitter account @NatsTownNews:
"Danny Espinosa will have his hook of hamate bone removed from right hand by Dr. Ken Means tomorrow in Baltimore at the National Hand Center."
"Espinosa's hand began bothering him last week while playing winter ball in Puerto Rico. He is expected to return to full health in 6 weeks."
"Espinosa will be ready for full participation for 2011 Spring Training. #Nationals"
The 23-year-old infielder debuted with the Nationals last September hitting 4 doubles, a triple and 6 HR's in 28 games and 103 at bats following stints at Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse during which the '08 3rd Round pick out of the "Shortstop Factory" known as Long Beach State University had put up a combined .268/.337/.464 slash line with 18 doubles, 22 HR's and 69 RBI's in 123 games and 481 AB's. As the Nats mentioned in the reports, Espinosa had been playing in the Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico with the Leones de Ponce. In 22 games and 89 at bats Espinosa's posted a .281/.343/.483 slash line with 25 hits, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR's and 6 RBI's for the Leones.
The Good News? Ryan Zimmerman, Derek Norris and Ian Desmond have all recovered from Hamate Bone issues of varying degrees. The bad news? The Nationals might have to spend a little of that Dunn/SP cash on a legit infielder in case there are any setbacks/issues...?