Williams on Escobar's strained groin, plus Span update

Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar strained his groin running out a ground ball in the fourth inning, according to manager Matt Williams. The Nats pulled Escobar from the Friday's game and moved Danny Espinosa to third base and Dan Uggla to second.

Williams explained the move and how the team will evaluate Escobar before Saturday's 1:05 p.m. game against the Phillies.

"He strained his groin a little bit, so we took him out to making sure he didn't do anything further," Williams said after Friday night's 7-2 win. "We'll see how he wakes up tomorrow and see how he feels. So I'll have more information on that in the morning. Right now, he says he feels OK, but we'll see how he wakes up, see how sore he is tomorrow."

Williams didn't speculate on who might replace Escobar if he is out for a while.

"The only way that we have anybody here is if he's DLed," Williams said. "We'll see how that all plays out tomorrow. As of right now, he says he feels OK. So we'll evaluate that, have him get in here and get some treatment, and evaluate how he's feeling and go from there."

In-house options include Espinosa at third base with Uggla moving to second. That would be a temporary move. Espinosa made his first major league appearance at third base when Escobar left the game. If Espinosa started at third base Saturday, it would be his first start at the hot corner in a major league game.

Espinosa had a good game offensively, as well. He hit his second homer of the season in the fourth inning. He also reached base on a walk in the first and is batting .286. His homer came from the left side of the plate, something he struggled with most of last season and for his career.

"I just think he's smooth," Williams said. "I think he's recognizing pitches. I think he's got a good approach at the plate. His BPs have been good from both sides, really. It's quiet and it's compact. That's what he can do when it's right. He's got power from both sides of the plate. It's special talent when it's right and when he's easy with it. He's got plenty. I like where he's at."

If Escobar does have to go on the disabled list, one likely call-up would be third baseman Ian Stewart, who played well in spring training.

Stewart hit .273 in 22 Grapefruit League games with two doubles, three homers and four RBIs. The 30-year-old, currently with Triple-A Syracuse, has also played for the Rockies, Angels and Cubs.

Also with the Chiefs is Jason Martinson, who played 227 games at shortstop from 2013 to 2014, and has had 13 starts at third base in the minors.

The Nationals are hoping Escobar doesn't have to be placed on the disabled list. They would also like to see center fielder Denard Span return to the lineup as he recovers from the right core muscle surgery. Span made it through another rehab assignment with low Single-A Hagerstown on Friday night with "no issues," according to Williams.

Span went 1-for-4 with a walk as the leadoff man for the Suns. He also played center field. Williams said Span will be at Nats Park on Saturday.

"He will show up tomorrow and we will evaluate," Williams said. "But he came through it just fine. We'll get him here. He'll go through BP and all of that. He'll hit in the cage and we'll see where he's at and evaluate from there."