Rendon scratched from rehab start due to fatigue

ATLANTA -- Washington infielder Anthony Rendon was scratched from his rehab start Monday in Double-A Harrisburg because of fatigue, the Nationals announced. Rendon is recovering from a sprain in the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

The Nationals are being extra cautious with their third baseman, who hit .287 with 21 home runs and 83 RBIs in his first full season in the bigs last year. He finished fifth in the National League MVP voting.

Washington manager Matt Williams said before the Nationals' game against the Braves on Monday that he wanted to see Rendon go at least seven innings in Harrisburg's game in Altoona.

"It's important for him just to make sure that he feels good," Williams said before the announcement, "that he feels able to play every day."

The Nationals, who went into Monday's game riding a five-game losing streak, could certainly use Rendon's help.

The team continues to struggle offensively, so much so that Williams juggled the lineup on Monday, notably moving first baseman Ryan Zimmerman into the second spot in the order. The Nationals are hitting just. .218 so far, with just a .288 OBP. Zimmerman was hitting just .205 entering Monday's game.

Williams also said that Rendon will play at both second and third base when he finally makes his big league return.