Third baseman Alcides Escobar #2 of the Kansas City Royals throws out Pete Kozma of the Detroit Tigers at first base during the fifth inning at Comerica Park on September 21, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Royals defeated the Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
The cycle Trea Turner hit on his birthday came with a price tag. The first home run for Jordy Mercer in a Washington Nationals uniform did as well. In the matter of two days the Nationals have had Alex Avila, a catcher by nature, at second base and Humberto Arteaga and his 41 games of experience, at shortstop.