Rendon to seek a third opinion on his left knee, Escobar to take a shot at third base

VIERA, Fla. - After visiting orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Monday for a second opinion on his ailing left knee, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon will now head to Vail, Colo., for a third diagnosis from Dr. Steve Singleton.

"Every player has the option to go see somebody that they want to see, too, so we sent him to Andrews for the second (opinion)," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "He's going to see Dr. Singleton today in Vail to get his thoughts, as well. We're just trying to make sure we cover all bases and everybody gets a chance to take a look it and develop a course of action from today on. So far, the two doctors that have seen him and reviewed it have said the same thing. We'll see what Dr. Singleton says today."

Rendon hasn't played or participated in team workouts since injuring his knee while making a dazzling diving stop on a ground ball during a game against the Braves on March 9. He's undergone at least two MRIs since the injury. Williams provided an update on Dr. Andrews' findings.

"Doc had the same diagnosis, if you will, that was initially diagnosed - sprained MCL," Williams said. "That's good news, that the second opinion is the same as the first. The injury is such that we're just going to have to progress as quickly as we can, being mindful that it's there. So that's kind of where we stand right now."

It's unclear exactly when Rendon will be available, according to the news Williams received from Dr. Andrews.

"What he offered was that it's a weekly-type injury," said Williams. "It's not month-to-month. It's not day-to-day. It's more like a week-to-week. Depending on what he does and how strong it becomes and how he heals ... all of those factors. There's no real timetable on it because it's pain and it's where he feels comfortable doing things. Once he gets through that, then he can progress. But until that subsides, it's week-to-week."

The Nationals are understandably being cautious with Rendon. All he did was finish fifth in the National League MVP voting and win a Silver Slugger Award in just his second season in the majors last year. Rendon led all NL third baseman in batting average (.287), slugging percentage (.473) and OPS (.824). He added 39 doubles, six triples, 21 home runs and 83 RBIs, and his 111 runs scored were the most in the league. Rendon also had 17 steals in 20 attempts. The 24-year-old hit .368 (7-for-19) in the National League Division Series.

"Well, it is a sprain. So anytime you have a sprain of that ligament, then it gets angry," said Williams. "There's swelling involved. The body tries to deal with it. We don't want to push him to a serious injury. We want to make sure he's good to go when he's good to go."

It seems the biggest concern with Rendon's knee relates to his approach at the plate considering that he needs to plant with his left foot in the box.

"He does feel it on rotation, and that's a big part of everybody's game, that rotation," said Williams. "Especially on the front knee. Again, we just have to make sure we're taking the right steps. Everybody's taking a look at it to develop that course of action, and give their opinion."

Williams has been scrambling to find a viable option to fill-in at third base for Rendon. Recently, he moved infielder Danny Espinosa there for his first action ever at the position. Today, Williams will give infielder Yunel Escobar the start at the hot corner against the Mets at Space Coast Stadium.

"We've had a lot of discussions on it," said Williams. "(Escobar) said, 'Listen, if it makes us a better team, me playing third base, I'm willing to do that.' That's just another example of why he's here, and that's the kind of teammate he is. So today he's going to play third. We'll get a look at him over there. He's played there in the past; not a lot. But it's the same side of the diamond that he's used to. So he'll get chance to get out there today and play a little bit at third."

Escobar hasn't played third base since his rookie season in 2007 when he appeared in 22 games there with the Braves. Coincidentally, that's also the last time Escobar played second base in the majors, and that's the position he was supposed to be re-acclimating himself to during spring training with the Nationals. Escobar, who's played primarily at shortstop during his eight-year career, also missed much of this exhibition season with a left oblique strain.

Williams said that first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is not an option to move back to third base.