NEW YORK -- Despite a lack of organizational depth at the position, the Nationals are not actively seeking to acquire a middle infielder in the wake of Ian Desmond's placement on the disabled list.
According to a club source, the Nationals are content to move forward with Danny Espinosa at shortstop, Steve Lombardozzi at second base and Mark DeRosa as their backup infielder until Desmond is ready to return from a tear of his left oblique muscle.
Desmond is likely to miss at least a month, but the source said the Nationals don't believe any potential backup infielders available before next week's trade deadline provide a significant enough upgrade for the price they would cost.
Team officials aren't willing to deal away any top prospects for a two-month rental, and neither are they willing to take on a hefty contract for such a player. That would seem to rule out the likes of Minnesota's Jamey Carroll (still owed about 5 million through 2013) or Colorado's Marco Scutaro (owed about 2 million the rest of this season).
The Nationals are taking a chance neither Espinosa nor Lombardozzi suffers an injury, a development that would force DeRosa (hitting .148 entering tonight's game) into the starting lineup. The organization doesn't have any major-league ready replacements at Class AAA Syracuse or Class AA Harrisburg, so another injury would probably force general manager Mike Rizzo into acquiring another player.
But for now, the Nationals appear content with the status quo, not only at middle infield but at catcher as well. Despite a score of injuries that has plagued the position this season, the club source said they are prepared to continue with Jesus Flores backed up by Sandy Leon and Jhonatan Solano (currently on the DL with an oblique strain).
If anything, the Nationals are surprisingly set at every position on the field for the stretch run, an unusual position for any contender, let alone a club in a pennant race for the first time.
They have inquired about potential major acquisitions, but would only make such a move if such a player was under team control for several seasons and still wouldn't be willing to part ways with most of their elite prospects to make those types of deals.