WASHINGTON -- Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Padres, one day following his return to action from getting struck in the left elbow by an errant pitch one week ago. Rendon was sidelined for four games before playing Friday and felt sore after the game, which manager Dave Martinez said he expected and wanted to give him a day off.

“I kind of figured after not playing for five or six days then all of a sudden playing,” Martinez said. “He got smoked. So, I figured he’d be a little sore.”

Howie Kendrick is starting at third base in his place. Martinez did not sound concerned about Rendon’s elbow going forward and believed he would be available to pinch-hit if needed Saturday. But it is worth noting that Rendon’s elbow is not completely healed and might be something the Nationals need to still monitor in the coming days.

Rendon took swings at Nationals Park on the team off-day Thursday to test his elbow and get treatment, and the team determined he was ready to return to the lineup.

Rendon's return on Friday also marked one of the rare games this season where he was unable to get a hit. After going hitless on Opening Day, he began a career-high 16-game hitting streak, which was snapped when he exited last Saturday’s game early after getting hit by an errant pitch from Jose Urena.

Rendon also went 0-for-3 in Friday’s 4-3 loss, but in his first at-bat he was drilled in the leg by an errant pitch from Padres left-hander Matt Strahm, although he played the rest of the game without issue.

“I told him to get the magnet off,” Martinez said with a laugh.