Rendon, Span dealing with nagging soreness
Infielder's return to Nats in question; outfielder expected to start Sunday
NEW YORK -- Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon was scheduled to play seven innings at second base for Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday, but he was scratched because he had a tough time getting loose, according to a team spokesman.
Manager Matt Williams was hoping that Rendon could return to the Nationals by the end of next week. That appears to be put on hold.
Rendon has been dealing with a side issue and had missed a few games recently because of the injury. Rendon was originally on the disabled list because of a sprained left MCL, which he injured during Spring Training. The knee is OK, according to Williams.
In other news, Williams gave center fielder Denard Span another day off because of abdominal soreness. But Williams said he expects Span to be back in the starting lineup Sunday against the Mets.
"He is still a little bit sore. He is available for us. He is fine. It's really early in the process for him," Williams said. "You want him to do all the things that he has been doing out there."
Span started to feel pain in the area -- the rectus abdominis muscle -- on Thursday against the Mets. He ended up going 0-for-2 with a run scored and a walk during the Nationals' 8-2 victory.
Span is still not sure if he had a setback. Since coming off the disabled list on April 19, Span has been a hot hitter, going 13-for-43 (.302) with two home runs and seven RBIs.