Washington Nationals News: Rendon takes another step forward in rehab process
By Pablo Roa
Good afternoon DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Check out some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
We start off today’s Daily with some much-needed good news from MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, who discusses the progress of Anthony Rendon. As we know, Rendon is on the disabled list due to a sprained MCL he suffered early in the spring and he could be out of the Nationals’ lineup for several weeks.
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As Ladson notes, however, Rendon is making steady progress in his recovery and is well on his way to returning to the Nationals. According to Ladson, Rendon made throws from second to third base and took light swings—both of which are crucial steps in his recovery.
Needless to say, this is excellent news for the Nationals. The team’s lineup has been disappointing this season, with Rendon, Denard Span and Jayson Werth—the team’s top three hitters—all spending time on the disabled list. Werth returned to the lineup today, and once Rendon and Span do the same, the Nationals offense should go back to being one of the most productive in the National League.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses Michael Taylor’s strong, albeit quiet, start to the season with the Nationals. As we know, Taylor is playing center field for the Nationals while Span is on the disabled list. And as Janes notes, he’s going a good job so far.
Be sure to check out the articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Rendon takes another step forward in rehab process
BOSTON — Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon is making progress as far as trying to get back on the field. According to manager Matt Williams, Rendon threw 100 feet and didn’t have an issue with his left knee. Rendon also had dry swings and tee-ball swings. Williams called them very important milestones.
“We’ll go from those to soft toss. He threw balls to second base from third and didn’t have an issue, so that’s a really good sign, too,” Williams said. “Now it’s about getting him in baseball shape. So we’ll be able to progress accordingly.” Read full article here.
Michael A. Taylor off to strong start, quietly
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
PHILADELPHIA — Before Sunday afternoon’s game against the Phillies, several Nationals lounged in the black rolling chairs in the visitor’s clubhouse, chairs turned toward the center of the clubhouse. A row of veterans including Reed Johnson, Danny Espinosa, Dan Uggla and Ian Desmond sat and chatted. Rookie center fielder Michael A. Taylor sat among them, to the left of Espinosa, leaning back and looking comfortable, though he sat quietly.
Taylor does everything quietly, but he has been at the center of things for the Nationals all season. He has hit safely in every game. He has chased balls down in the gap, and relegated a few doubles to singles in the process.
The 24-year-old has had ups and downs, too. Perhaps he could have caught the ball to the center field wall on opening day, the one that his well-timed leap just missed, the one that turned into a double. But not every center field would’ve been so close. He has struck out seven times in five games, a higher rate than most teams would want from a leadoff hitter, but one the Nationals are willing to absorb given Taylor’s speed and potential. Read full article here.