"I'm either going to come in and be the guy (at second) or not. It's as simple as that," said Uggla. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Veteran second baseman Dan Uggla realizes there is not a lot of margin for error if he is going to make the Washington Nationals’ Opening Day roster.
“I’m either going to come in and be the guy (at second) or not. It’s as simple as that,” said Uggla, sitting by his locker in the spring training clubhouse of the Nationals earlier this month in Viera, Fla.
That might be overstating his situation somewhat, but then again, it is unlikely the Nationals would keep a veteran such as Uggla to be a utility player when Washington has versatile Danny Espinosa at a possible backup infielder.
The expected starter at second base is Yunel Escobar, who has been slowed in spring training by an oblique sprain and made his first appearance on Monday when he started at second and batted leadoff against the New York Yankees.
The Nationals acquired Escobar in a trade in January from the Oakland A’s, who received All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard in the deal. Escobar made an error on his first throwing opportunity Monday during a relay from shortstop Ian Desmond in a failed double play try.
Uggla made the National All-Star team in 2006 and 2008 with the Marlins and was also named to the roster in 2012 with the Atlanta Braves. He hit a career-high 36 homers with the Braves in 2011 but slumped to .162 in 145 plate appearances last year with Atlanta before he was released.
He was signed by the San Francisco Giants but released in August. Uggla signed a minor league free agent contract with an invite to spring training with the Nationals on Dec. 26.
Uggla is no stranger to the Nationals, who played with the Braves in six series per year as an opponent in the National League East. The teams have combined to win the past three division titles, with Washington claiming the crown in 2012 and 2014 and the Braves winning the division in 2013.
“I’ve been playing against these guys for a long time. I’m friends with a lot of them,” said Uggla, who broke into the majors in 2006 with the Marlins. “It’s always a little different going into a new clubhouse. It’s been an easy transition.”
Uggla hit .310 in his first 29 at-bats this spring with two homers and six RBIs. He hit his second homer on March 21 against the Marlins.
He admits he struggled in the recent past.
“I’ve had a rough last couple of years,” he said.
