ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS Starting pitcher Livan Hernandez (top left) could be on the move again; the Nationals traded him in 2006. Right fielder Jayson Werth (top right) hasn't lived up to his huge free agent contract, but second baseman Danny Espinosa (middle right) and first baseman Michael Morse (above) have been pleasant surprises. The face of the franchise, injured Stephen Strasburg, isn't expected back in D.C. until 2012.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Pittsburgh left fielder Alex Presley slides safely into second base as Washington's Danny Espinosa fails to handle an errant throw from Jason Marquis on Sunday at Nationals Park. Presley went on to score one of three first-inning runs for Pittsburgh.
Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond throws the ball to second baseman Danny Espinosa (18) to force out Los Angeles Angels' Mark Trumbo at second base to end the fifth inning of an interleague baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, June 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa goes horizontal over Los Angeles Angels' Howie Kendrick to complete a double play in the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game in Anaheim Calif., on Monday, June 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Christine Cotter)
Washington Nationals' Danny Espinosa (18) celebrates as he rounds the bases on Wilson Ramos' three-run home run as Seattle Mariners second baseman Dustin Ackley (13) looks on during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 21, 2011, in Washington. The Nationals won 6-5. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
ASSOCIATED PRESS Nationals center fielder Roger Bernadina can't come up with a second-inning single by the Orioles' Derrek Lee, who below right collides with Nats second baseman Danny Espinosa. Lee went 9 for 13 in the three-game series, raising his average from .214 to .245.
Baltimore Orioles' Derrek Lee (25) is safe at second base as he collides with Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa while advancing on a throwing error by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman during the second inning of a baseball game in Washington, Sunday, June 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Washington Nationals' Danny Espinosa tosses his helmet into the air after hitting a game-winning three-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals reliever Fernando Salas during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Washington, Thursday, June 16, 2011. The Nationals beat the Cardinals 7-4. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Washington Nationals' Danny Espinosa watches the flight of his game-winning three-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals reliever Fernando Salas during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Washington, Thursday, June 16, 2011. The Nationals beat the Cardinals 7-4. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
