Rendon ramping up rehab in Florida (game under way)

SAN DIEGO - Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon returned to Florida today to restart his baseball activity, according to manager Matt Williams. It will be the second time this season that Rendon has been forced to spend time rehabbing away from the team in Florida after initially spraining his left knee during the exhibition season. Rendon seemed to be days away from rejoining the Nationals when he began experiencing tightness in his side during a minor league rehab stint on April 28. He was eventually diagnosed with a oblique strain and shut down.

"In recent days, he's been doing strengthening things with our physical therapist in D.C., but now he's gonna be off to Florida to start that progression with baseball," Williams said. "So it's a good sign. He feels good and we'll get to the baseball part of it, which is really an important step for him. It'll be a slower process, of course, but at least he'll get a chance to do some stuff."

Williams indicated that Rendon will start with easy throwing and grounders along with light cage work, all in a controlled environment.

"We have to monitor and make sure that once he starts the baseball progression that it remains pain free, so that'll be a slow process," Williams said.

It appears that right-hander Casey Janssen is finally nearing his Nationals and season debut. Like Rendon, Janssen spent a large chunk of the early season rehabbing in Viera, Fla. The tendinitis in his throwing shoulder eventually subsided, and Janssen was able to begin his rehab assignment at Single-A Potomac last week. He was rocked in his second appearance there for three runs on a homer, triple and double in one inning. He then moved on to Double-A Harrisburg for a scoreless inning of work.

Janssen is scheduled to pitch Friday and Saturday night in what should be his last test before rejoining the Nationals where he is expected to bolster the backend of the bullpen.

"On track to go back-to-back days," Williams said. "We'll see how it all pans out, but that's the final hurdle for any reliever that we've got in the back of the bullpen."

Tonight's game features polar opposites on the basepaths. The Nats are dead last in the majors with six stolen bases while the Padres have swiped 28, the fifth-best mark in baseball. Left fielder Justin Upton is tied for fifth in the National League with eight while being caught three times.

"They do have guys that hit the ball over the fence, but they're also really aggressive on the bases to start the season," Williams said. "They're running a lot. They put pressure on the opposing club. They're not afraid to go at any time. They've got veteran guys that understand how to do that and power to boot."

Update: Tonight's game is scheduled to resume at 9:10 p.m. PST.

Update II: The Nats and Padres have resumed play after a 1 hour 56 minute rain delay. It was only the fifth rain delay in the history of Petco Park.