Shortly after promoting him from Double-A Harrisburg, Nationals top prospect Anthony Rendon was inserted into the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Mets. Rendon, who filled the roster hole created by Ryan Zimmerman's move to the disabled list, hit sixth in the batting order while patrolling third base.
The Nationals expect Zimmerman to spend the minimum amount of time on the DL and appear committed to providing Rendon -- the sixth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft -- everyday playing time in his absence. At Harrisburg, the 22-year-old was hitting .292 with a robust .462 on-base percentage after averaging a walk per game.
"I don't like to bring a youngster up and have him sit," manager Davey Johnson told The Washington Post on Saturday. "He's been swinging the bat pretty good down there. It's no slight against some guys I got here."