Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa will undergo an MRI on his ailing left shoulder Monday afternoon and is expected to miss at least the upcoming series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, per the Washington Post. The injury has hampered the switch-hitting second baseman for the past week -- during which he has no hits and nine strikeouts in 11 at-bats -- and the Nationals fear the injury could be serious:

Espinosa could miss more time than just the Nationals’ next three games. Johnson said Espinosa has been talking to Adam LaRoche to see if his injury bears any resemblance to the torn labrum LaRoche suffered last season. LaRoche underwent season-ending surgery that cost him the year’s final 117 games.

Up until Sunday, the 25-year-old had been the most reliable player for the Nats this season, playing in a team-best 144 games (out of 146). Espinosa is hitting .250/.315/.407 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI on the season, and has been one of Washington's best hitters in the second half.

Fellow switch-hitter Steve Lombardozzi will likely fill in at second base in Espinosa's absence. The 23-year-old is batting .279/.323/.355 with two home runs in 116 games.

For more on the Nationals and DC baseball, be sure to visit Federal Baseball and SB Nation DC.