Yunel Escobar undergoes further tests on injured left wrist and hand

By Josh Land

Nationals

July 23, 2015, 2:59pm

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PITTSBURGH - After X-rays were negative yesterday on Yunel Escobar's left wrist and hand, the Nationals sent him for a CT scan of the area, which was also negative.

"All results are good so far," Nationals manager Matt Williams said before tonight's game. "It feels better today. (Escobar's) not in the lineup today but he's available, which is a good sign. We'll see what the coming days give us."

A CT scan is the test which revealed fractures in Jayson Werth's left wrist after his x-ray results were negative in mid-May. Williams indicated the force of Escobar's check swing in the second inning yesterday was enough to hurt the Nationals third baseman.

"He's had issues," Williams said. "He's been hit in the hand a few times this year and he wears the pad because of that. I've done it. A lot of guys have done it, where you're full go to the pitch and then you try to check it.

"You know, it's a two-pound weight in your hand and you're swinging as hard as you can. So, sometimes it can tweak something in there and you feel it. The good news is, I think he's okay."

The Nationals held Escobar, whose .321 batting average is fourth best in the National League, away from hitting or swinging a bat today, but he was in the field with his glove on for infield practice.

Wilmer Difo was brought to PNC Park from Double-A Harrisburg as precaution but Williams did not anticipate having to make a move.

Danny Espinosa starts for Escobar at third base tonight. Dan Uggla makes just his fourth start of the month at second base.