Nationals expect Span, Escobar to return to lineup Tuesday

The Washington Nationals expect center fielder Denard Span and third baseman Yunel Escobar to return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener versus the San Diego Padres.

It will mark the first game in seven weeks for Span, who has been sidelined by a balky back since July 6. The Nationals are 35-24 this season with Span in the lineup.

Span, who tied for the National League lead with 184 hits last year, played in three straight games at Double-A Harrisburg over the weekend, going 3-for-10 with five runs scored. Overall, he was 7-for-17 in six rehab games.

Escobar suffered a hyperextended neck when he crashed into a fan while pursuing a foul ball in the first inning of Friday's game and sat out the rest of the weekend, but Nationals manager Matt Williams on Sunday said he expected him back for Tuesday's game.

Aside from right fielder Bryce Harper, Escobar (.305) and Span (.304) are the only starters in Washington's lineup batting above .300.

(h/t Washington Post)