Anderson Hernandez Is the Odd Man Out at Second Base for Nationals

The worst team in baseball continues to search for its best solution at second base, and the Washington Nationals have determined it's not Anderson Hernández, interim manager Jim Riggleman said Saturday.

Three men have started at second base for the Nationals in the 10 games since Riggleman took over as manager on July 13. Anderson Hernández, who started at the position 55 times in the first half of the season (87 games), wasn't among them.

"I don't know what's going on," Hernández said.

Riggleman attributed the shift to the offensive emergence of Alberto González, who is batting .299 and has started 32 games, but only 10 at second base. His natural position, shortstop, is anchored by former all-star Cristian Guzmán.

But González has had only four starts since the all-star break, when Riggleman replaced Manny Acta, as has veteran Ronnie Belliard. Willie Harris has started twice.

Said Riggleman, "We've kind of come to the conclusion, whether we're right or wrong, that Anderson is best going to help this organization as a utility player."

That perspective has left Hernández, who has batted .251 with 23 RBI this season, on the bench. He has appeared in just one game since Riggleman became manager, a brief stint in the outfield on July 19. He is the only player on the 25-man roster to have not started a game since the change of managers.

Harris said he has been surprised Hernández has been given what amounts to a demotion.

"He can play second base," Harris said. "Probably one of the best I've ever seen defensively."

Hernández was with the New York Mets when Acta was a coach there, but Riggleman said that Hernández's reduction in playing time had been decided on by Acta in the days leading up to his firing.

Riggleman said Acta told Hernández: "We're going to start playing González a little more, you're going to have to continue to do your work and try to progress the best you can. It's not going to be easy."

Added Riggleman: "That decision was made and we've continued along that. I know it appears that since I've been managing he hasn't played, but that decision was somewhat made before I took over as manager and I agree with that decision."

Harris said he had been through a situation similar with the Chicago White Sox after his rookie season in 2004 and said it's mentally difficult to lose a starting position and not know when you'll play next.

"I know he's going through a tough time," Harris said. "All we can do as veterans is try to keep pushing him and let him know, 'Man, look, keep working.' If something doesn't work out here, maybe somewhere else."