Nationals' lineup versatility has been early bright spot for Williams

Nationals manager Matt Williams has had to juggle his lineup again this year, fighting his way through the first two weeks of the season. Left fielder Jayson Werth has returned from shoulder surgery. Center fielder Denard Span is back for core muscle surgery. Third baseman Anthony Rendon is set to start his rehab assignment Friday for Double-A Harrisburg after missing time with a left knee injury.

New infield additions Dan Uggla and Yunel Escobar, coupled with young outfielder Michael A. Taylor and veteran infielder Danny Espinosa, have helped to keep the team cohesive after a 3-6 start. Williams remembered moving players around last year when catcher Wilson Ramos, third baseman/outfielder Ryan Zimmerman and outfielder Bryce Harper were out of the lineup for extended periods of time.

"We have experience with it, unfortunately - we did it last year. Different guys, but we have that experience," Williams said. "If anybody is out, whether it's Denard or Jayson or Anthony, we have to have guys step in and fill and do well if you're gonna win games. That being said, it's always a struggle, if you wil,l when you don't have your A lineup every day. But during the course of 162 (games), you're not going to have it everyday either, and guys have to get in there and play and play well, and get base hits and do the things they want to do if your going to win games."

It's only two weeks into the season, but Werth and now Span are back. With Rendon starting a rehab assignment, does Williams think all three have had enough at-bats despite not having a true full-length spring training to get in a good rhythm?

"They don't have the six weeks, so that's the biggest challenge," Williams acknowledged. "There's no reason that we wouldn't want them playing here if they're physically capable. That's the measuring stick, if you will. When they are physically OK to do that, we want them playing here. All three of those guys give us opportunities beyond base hits.

"Last night, (it was) Denard with his speed, Jayson having the ability to get on base regardless of whether he's swinging well or not. He's got the ability to walk, he's a good baserunner. The same would be true of Anthony. They're unique in that they offer so many things to us beyond how many hits they get. It may seem a little rushed, if you will, but as long as they're physically able to get out there and there's no issue with that, then they're going to be here, playing for us."

Escobar might be the best example of a player that started the season adjusting well to his new spot on the infield.

Tuesday's hero is continuing to fit in well because of his energy for the game, his baseball talent and his good rapport with his teammates. Escobar has also been asked to play third base when for most of his career he was a shortstop. He was penciled in as the starting second baseman this year before Rendon's injury.

"It's not easy when you've played one position your whole life and then you are asked to change, not only once, but twice," Williams said. "He's welcomed it with open arms and let us know that he'll do whatever he can to help us win. You can't ask for a better teammate than that."

Last night wasn't the best night for closer Drew Storen, who allowed a couple of key base hits as St. Louis rallied to tie the game in the ninth. But Williams is not worried about Storen. He says the closer relishes the moment to come into the game when everything is on the line.

So what happened with the changeup Storen threw to Matt Holliday? Holliday smacked it for a base hit that tied the contest.

"Last night's changeup wasn't great," Williams said. "The one to (Matt) Holliday was not great. But overall, it's a pitch that he's developed. He's always been a late-inning guy. Often times you get your relievers out of ex-starters. But Drew's always been a late-inning guy. He's always been a reliever. And that adrenalin is part of what makes him good. To have a feel for a changeup is important for him and he's been able to develop that pitch. It's another weapon against lefties. It's a ball down in the strike zone that he can get a ground ball with. Last night, he just happened to leave one up."