MIAMI -- The Nationals will be without another key contributor for the start of this weekend's series against the Marlins, as third baseman Anthony Rendon was placed on the paternity list Thursday morning.
Rendon and his wife, Amanda, who got married this past offseason, are set to welcome the birth of their first child. Matt Reynolds has been promoted from Triple-A Syracuse to take Rendon's spot on the roster.
It was already a busy morning for Washington with right-hander Stephen Strasburg headed to the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck. Now the Nats are prepared to play this weekend without Rendon, one of their most consistent hitters. In 80 games, Rendon owns a slash line of .284/.347/.514 with 15 home runs and 3.3 Wins Above Replacement, as measured by Fangraphs.
Mark Reynolds is expected to get the majority of the playing time at third base in his absence. He has played three games there this season in his first action at the hot corner since 2015, although he has had to borrow Rendon's glove while filling in.
Murphy scratched from lineup
Daniel Murphy was scratched from the Nationals' lineup for Thursday's game vs. Miami after he arrived at Marlins Park feeling sore after playing in four consecutive games. The Nats are still monitoring Murphy's health after he underwent right knee surgery this offseason, so manager Dave Martinez decided it would be best to be cautious with the second baseman, who should be available to pinch-hit.
"I said, 'Would you rather just come off the bench today and help us in that way,"' Martinez said. "We both agreed that that would be the best thing. But he's available to play today. It was like twisting his arm, but he's ready to play."