WASHINGTON -- When the Nationals shipped Daniel Murphy to the Cubs on Tuesday, it opened up an opportunity for Wilmer Difo to become the team's primary second baseman.
Difo has had a pair of these chances before -- last season he was the starting shortstop when Trea Turner fractured his wrist, and earlier this year he got everyday at-bats while Murphy recovered from a knee injury -- and put up mixed results.
So, manager Dave Martinez called Difo into his office and gave him a simple message as he prepares for his latest chance to prove himself to the Nationals.