NL East update: Yunel Escobar, Denard Span, Bobby Parnell, Chad Billingsley

Yunel Escobar left Friday's game against the Phillies with an apparent groin issue, but it might not be as bad as initial fears indicated.

#Nats Mgr Matt Williams said Yunel Escobar (groin) reported he felt pretty good this morning when he arrived. He will receive an MRI today.

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 18, 2015

Patrick Reddington, Nats beat reporter with Federal Baseball, describes how the injury happened:

Yunel Escobar pulled up lame after running through first base on a groundout in the bottom of the fourth inning in last night's win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Escobar reached for the the inside of his left leg as he crossed the bag, in what's become known as a universal sign of a groin issue. Back of the leg = hamstring, inner thigh, front of the leg = groin.

Washington's 32-year-old infielder left the game at that point, replaced by Dan Uggla, who took over at second with Danny Espinosa moving over to third.

As for today, the Nats will juggle a little bit in the infield:

#Nats have only 3 healthy INFs today. Moore worked out at 3B in case of emergency. Williams says they won't put Zimmerman there.

— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) April 18, 2015

NL East news & notes 4/18:

• MLB investigating positive stanozolol tests like Biogenesis, looking for possible link
  "Injured New York Mets closer Jenrry Mejia was suspended for 80 games Saturday, the fourth player in 16 days banned under the major league drug program following a positive test for stanozolol, a steroid popular with body builders."

• Terry Collins would like 28-man rosters in MLB - Amazin' Avenue
  "Collins would like to see Major League Baseball adopt a system similar to the other major North American sports leagues. Rosters would be expanded to 28 or 30 players, and on any given night, several players would be inactive. These inactive players would most likely be starting pitchers who are not scheduled to pitch, but could also include players who are hurt but only need a few days off."

• Bobby Parnell not ready for activation for New York Mets - Mets Blog - ESPN
  "Parnell is nearing a return from Tommy John surgery, which was performed on April 8, 2014. He clearly is not ready yet, though."

• Mets option Rafael Montero to Triple-A Las Vegas, add Danny Muno. But Montero will return with a spot start on April 28. - Amazin' Avenue
  

• The Yankees are reportedly interested in Braves prospect Jose Peraza, but the Braves say they have 'no interest' in trading him. This is different than that time they said they weren't interested in trading Craig Kimbrell, though.

• From Thursday: Nationals reliever Craig Stammen will undergo surgery, likely out for season.

• At least SOME good news for the Nats: Denard Span could be activated as early as tomorrow, reports Dan Kolko.

• Miami Marlins to give Jose Urena extended look - Fish Stripes
  "The 23-year old was expected to be demoted when David Phelps was activated from the paternity list."

• 2015 Miami Marlins minor league depth: Third Base - Fish Stripes
  "Signed through 2016 for $11M a year, the Marlins are unlikely to re-sign Martin Prado after his contract runs out - making him another stop gap free agent signee at a position that has been a revolving door for years in the Miami Marlins organization."

• Arrival of Aaron: When is the right time to bring up Nola? - The Good Phight
  "The Phillies did not invite pitcher Aaron Nola to big-league camp this spring, a move that seemed to raise the eyebrows of many. In reality, it shouldn't have been wildly surprising, as the Phillies have historically been cautious with young talent."

• Chad Billingsley almost ready to almost join the Phillies rotation - The Good Phight
  "The goal is to not feel pain for a month and a half, and then, Billingsley's doctors will give him the green light, and we won't be stuck with Sean O'Sullivan anymore."

NL East standings 4/18