Nationals second baseman Wilmer Difo stood on the infield dirt in a nearly-empty Nationals Park on Wednesday afternoon, more than three hours before the first pitch.
Next to him was Tim Bogar, the first-base coach for the Nationals. Bogar, a former major league infielder, demonstrated a backhand-fielding motion to Difo, who is again the team’s regular second baseman after veteran Daniel Murphy was traded to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Difo, 26, is no stranger to the lineup, having played in 114 games this season and 284 overall with the Nationals.
“He gets on base, makes unbelievable plays at second base,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said.