Rendon joining Potomac at Myrtle Beach, expected to play Tuesday

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon has been moved from short-season Single-A Auburn back to high Single-A Potomac. Rendon completed his rehab assignment at Auburn by playing 21 innings in the field and nine as the designated hitter in the past four days. Included in that span was a hit by pitch on, of all places, his surgically repaired ankle. But in an example that he is physically ready to handle the rigors of playing evey day, he played the next day and has had no complications. Auburn manager Gary Cathcart said that Rendon has looked good in the field and at the plate, so he is ready to return to Potomac. It is expected that Rendon will return to the P-Nats lineup at third base Tuesday night at Myrtle Beach. Rendon hit .259 at Auburn and has hit .310 overall in 15 games at the minor league level this season. But it is not about the numbers right now. The Nationals know he can hit. It is about how the strength and stamina in his ankle looks after each game. Catcher James Skelton has been returned to Double-A Harrisburg to make room on the roster for Rendon. Also, outfielder Steven Souza, Jr., jammed his knee into the outfield wall trying to make a play and is on the seven-day disabled list. It looks good for Souza to return to the P-Nats' lineup when the team returns to Potomac to begin a homestand Aug. 10.