Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino remained winless on the season when he took the loss in the 8-2 defeat to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Espino allowed four earned runs on five hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out five in five innings pitched. The 35-year-old right-hander gave up back-to-back home runs to Orlando Arcia and Ronald Acuna Jr. in the fifth inning. In 41 appearances (18 starts), Espino has a 4.30 ERA (4.54 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP and a 92:22 K:BB in 113 innings pitched for the Nationals in 2022. There's a good chance that he won't have another chance to pick up his first win of the season before the end of the year.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino pitched poorly in a rain-shortened outing Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk in two innings. He did not strike out a batter, and was fortunate to take a no-decision. It's a disappointing final appearance of 2021 for Espino, who had rounded into form with three consecutive strong performances down the stretch. Espino figures to have a shot at the rotation next season, though fantasy managers do not need to prioritize him come draft day.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino was solid again Friday, as he allowed three runs on five hits and no walks to the Cincinnati Reds in five innings. He struck out two batters and took a no-decision in the 8-7 extra-inning loss. Espino has now allowed three earned runs or less in 15 of his 18 starts this season, though he has just one quality start to his name. The lack of length makes Espino hard to roster in fantasy, but he's a solid innings-eater, and could be a floor option in 2022.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino was once again very good Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, as he turned in 5 2/3 innings without allowing a run. He gave up three hits and three walks while striking out seven, and was pulled one out shy of what would have been his second consecutive quality start. Espino earned a victory in the contest, improving his record to 5-5. He has a 3.94 ERA and 1.20 WHIP on the season with 90 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings. He makes for a solid streamer in good matchups, though time is running out this season.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino spun his first quality start of the season Monday night against the Miami Marlins, though he still took the loss, dropping his record to 4-5. Espino allowed one run on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts in six innings, managing to work his way out of several jams. Espino lines up for another favorable matchup against Colorado at home later in the week, making him a solid streaming play.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks to the Atlanta Braves in five innings Tuesday. He struck out seven batters, which ties his season-high, but this outing still registers as a disappointment for the right-hander. Espino had allowed three runs or less in three straight starts before this one, and he still is yet to record a quality start this year. With a 4.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 77 strikeouts in 91 innings, he has very little use in fantasy leagues.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino delivered another decent start versus the Phillies on Thursday as he allowed just two earned runs across 5 1/3 innings. Espino collected five strikeouts in his latest serviceable outing for the rebuilding Nats. The 34-year-old journeyman is yet to complete six innings as a starter, so he's on the fringes of fantasy relevancy despite posting a solid 1.15 WHIP across 86 innings this year as a starter and reliever. That's where the positives end, though, as he doesn't pitch deep into games and won't rack up K's as he's sporting just a 19.7% strikeout rate. Espino should be avoided in fantasy in his next start at the Braves.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino was excellent Friday night, allowing just one run on three hits and no walks in five innings to the New York Mets. He struck out seven batters and earned his fourth victory of the season. Espino has yet to record a quality start this season, but this may have been his finest showing. He now has a 4.17 ERA and 1.17 WHIP for the year, but remains off the fantasy radar.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino took his fourth loss of the season Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out three batters. Home runs were the big problem in this one, as he gave up three long balls for the second time this year. Espino has a decent 4.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, but his 52 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings keep him off the fantasy radar.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino had his worst start of the year against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, giving up six hits on eight runs and a walk in five innings. He struck out three batters. Espino had previously been quite successful, never giving up more than three earned runs in an outing. Despite his consistency, Espino's lack of strikeouts (49 in 66 1/3 innings) limits his fantasy utility. There's no need to roster him.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino was not originally scheduled to make the start Friday, but was moved up when Jon Lester was moved to the St. Louis Cardinals. Espino responded with 5 1/3 solid innings against the Chicago Cubs, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk while striking out six batters. Espino figures to remain in the rotation going forward. He's put together a 3.08 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 61 1/3 innings this year, but with just 46 strikeouts his fantasy upside is limited. Consider him a streamer in solid matchups and two-start weeks for now.

HOUSTON (AP) — Nestor Cortes and three relievers combined for a three-hitter and Brett Gardner and DJ LeMahieu each drove in two runs to lead the New York Yankees over the Houston Astros 4-0 on Friday night. Making a spot start, Cortes permitted two hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking two and lowering his ERA to 1.05. Lucas Luetge (3-1) pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings for the win. Chad Green gave up one hit in two innings and Jonathan Loaisiga threw a perfect ninth. It was New York’s first visit to Houston since Game 6 of the 2019 AL Championship Series. The Astros advanced to the World Series with a 6-4 win in that game on a two-run homer by Jose Altuve with two outs in the ninth. The Astros are commemorating the event by giving away replica 2019 AL champions trophies on Friday night, 2019 AL champions replica rings on Saturday and Altuve jerseys for the finale on Sunday. GIANTS 5, NATIONALS 3 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Curt Casali hit a two-run homer while filling in for injured... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. DODGERS 3, GIANTS 2 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts and Max Muncy hit back-to-back home runs to begin the first... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out nine over six innings of one-run ball for the Angels, but the San Francisco Giants rallied for seven runs in the 13th inning of a 9-3 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday. Steven Duggar had an RBI double in the 12th and a two-run single in the 13th for the Giants, who finally blew it open while the Angels had outfielder Taylor Ward playing catcher and starting pitcher Griffin Canning playing left field as the fallout from an untimely injury to Kurt Suzuki and a series of strategic decisions made to allow Ohtani to hit for himself. Mike Tauchman struck out five times before hitting a three-run homer to cap the Giants’ 13th-inning rally. Brandon Crawford put San Francisco ahead to stay with a bases-loaded walk from Alex Claudio (1-2), who walked three straight in the 13th. The 13-inning game matched the longest in the majors since the institution of the runner-on-second-base rule to open extra innings last season. Dominic Leone (1-0) won despite... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out nine over six innings of one-run ball for the Angels, but the San Francisco Giants rallied for seven runs in the 13th inning of a 9-3 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday. Steven Duggar had an RBI double in the 12th and a two-run single in the 13th for the Giants, who finally blew it open while the Angels had outfielder Taylor Ward playing catcher and starting pitcher Griffin Canning playing left field as the fallout from an untimely injury to Kurt Suzuki and a series of strategic decisions made to allow Ohtani to hit for himself. Mike Tauchman struck out five times before hitting a three-run homer to cap the Giants’ 13th-inning rally. Brandon Crawford put San Francisco ahead to stay with a bases-loaded walk from Alex Claudio (1-2), who walked three straight in the 13th. The 13-inning game matched the longest in the majors since the institution of the runner-on-second-base rule to open extra innings last season. Dominic Leone (1-0) won despite... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out nine over six innings of one-run ball for the Angels, but the San Francisco Giants rallied for seven runs in the 13th inning of a 9-3 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday. Steven Duggar had an RBI double in the 12th and a two-run single in the 13th for the Giants, who finally blew it open while the Angels had outfielder Taylor Ward playing catcher and starting pitcher Griffin Canning playing left field as the fallout from an untimely injury to Kurt Suzuki and a series of strategic decisions made to allow Ohtani to hit for himself. Mike Tauchman struck out five times before hitting a three-run homer to cap the Giants’ 13th-inning rally. Brandon Crawford put San Francisco ahead to stay with a bases-loaded walk from Alex Claudio (1-2), who walked three straight in the 13th. The 13-inning game matched the longest in the majors since the institution of the runner-on-second-base rule to open extra innings last season. Dominic Leone (1-0) won despite... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals placed right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg on the 10-day injured list Sunday because of right shoulder inflammation. The 2019 World Series MVP was set to start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He will now be replaced by right-hander Paolo Espino after the Nationals selected his contract. It is the fourth career start for the 34-year-old Espino. “We shut him down, put him on the IL,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He had to get an MRI on the shoulder. He’s got some inflammation on his shoulder so we want to be smart. There’s going to be no timetable when he comes back. Hopefully we get him back soon," he said. The move was retroactive to April 15. Strasburg, 32, is 0–1 with a 6.30 ERA in two starts this season. He gave up three homers and seven earned runs in four innings in his last start, a 14-3 loss at St. Louis on Tuesday. His move to the IL was retroactive to Thursday. Martinez said Strasburg -– who signed a $245 million, seven-year contract... [More]