MLB Player News

Rendon is not in Saturday's lineup against the Padres.

Rendon returned Friday after missing almost a week with an elbow contusion, and it seems the Nationals will cautiously elect to sit him in the day game following the night game. Howie Kendrick will start at third base and hit third.

Moncada went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Friday's win over the Tigers.

Moncada drove home a pair in the fifth inning on a single to left, cutting Chicago's deficit to five runs. Despite going 0-for-4 in Wednesday's contest, Moncada has secured a base knock in five of his past six matchups, raising his batting average to .323 through 24 games in 2019.

Arenado went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored Friday against the Braves.

Arenado slugged a solo homer to left in the fourth inning and gave his team a 3-2 lead in the sixth with an RBI double to right. The 28-year-old slugger has been heating up at the dish of late, securing multi-hit performances in four of his past five matchups.

Wisdom was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Wisdom collected to base hits over four games during his latest big-league stint. In a corresponding move, Wei-Chieh Huang was recalled from Triple-A.

Moustakas (finger) is starting at second base and batting cleanup Friday against the Mets.

Moustakas has not seen the field since fracturing the tip of his right ring finger last Saturday against the Dodgers, but he'll end up avoiding a trip to the injured list after five days off. The 30-year-old has enjoyed a quality start to the season and is slashing .239/.349/.549 with six home runs through 21 games.

Escobar is not in Friday's lineup against the Cubs.

After a slow first week of the season, Escobar is hitting .371/.467/.629 with three home runs and a 15:9 K:BB in his last 18 games. Ildemaro Vargas will start at the hot corner, hitting second against righty Kyle Hendricks.

Rendon (elbow) will start Friday against the Padres, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Rendon was withheld from the lineup the last four games with a left elbow bruise, but he is apparently good to go following Thursday's scheduled off day. The 28-year-old was said to be available as a pinch hitter in the last couple games, but ultimately wasn't used. Rendon has been raking to begin the season with a .371/.451/.771 slash line and six home runs in 82 plate appearances.

Kieboom was called up from Triple-A Fresno on Friday.

It was reported Thursday that Kieboom would receive his first promotion to the big leagues, and the Nationals have made that move official. The 21-year-old was putting up some of the best numbers of his minor-league career at Fresno through 18 games this season with a .379/.506/.636 slash line and three home runs. Kieboom -- Washington's top prospect -- figures to take over at shortstop while Trea Turner remains on the injured list with a broken finger.

Candelario went 1-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI in Thursday's 7-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Candelario once again batted leadoff and Josh Harrison slotted in at No. 7, as it looks like the former has supplanted the latter atop the Tigers' order. Candelario has been mediocre at the plate since the beginning of last season, but the opportunity as a leadoff hitter could lead to an uptick in runs.

Devers went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Tigers.

Devers put the Red Sox ahead in the third inning, plating two runs on a double to left field. His power numbers are down early in the season (zero homers and seven RBI in 26 games), though the 22-year-old third baseman has notched a base knock in six of his past seven contests.