After Rendon's second MRI, Williams says opening day is "in jeopardy"

JUPITER, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams is concerned Anthony Rendon will not be ready for the beginning of the season after revealing that his third baseman underwent a second MRI exam on his sprained left MCL yesterday. Rendon has not played since injuring the knee while making a brilliant stop against the Braves on March 9.

The Mets come to Nationals Park in just 13 days for the official start of the 2015 season. Williams' optimism for Rendon's availability is fading quickly.

"I think opening day's in jeopardy," Williams said. "At this point, it's in jeopardy because he hasn't been able to do the baseball activity. That being said, he could come in tomorrow and feel much better, or at the end of this week and feel much better, and we can look at things. But right now, it could be in jeopardy because he simply hasn't had the baseball activity to get ready. Does that mean he's not ready for opening day, but ready four days later? Potentially. We just don't know at this point."

Danny Espinosa makes only the second start of his career at third base for the Nats against the Cardinals today. He's probably not a serious option to fill in for Rendon in the season opener. More likely candidates are veteran Kevin Frandsen or non-roster invitee Ian Stewart.

But it's looking more and more possible that Rendon's knee keeps him from playing in the opener.

"The MRI shows no structural damage, per se, but it is something that you use every day," Williams said. "So he's frustrated by it, the fact it's not getting better as quickly as he'd like it to. So we'll continue to do what we're doing. The second MRI showed some improvement. It's on the right track. It's just a question of when he can get through that soreness and get back to it."

Williams doesn't seem concerned that Rendon could damage the knee further.

"It's not like he's got a tear. It's not a torn ligament," Williams said. "It's a sprain, and part of it is being sore, especially if he rotates and things like that. There's nothing really he can do special to help the healing process at this point. Then again, there's no real risk of him tearing it, per se, either. Because it's not torn. We want him 100 percent when he's ready. We'll just continue to do what we're doing. It's getting better slower than he hoped, but we'll continue to do what we're doing."

Left fielder Jayson Werth is playing five innings of defense on the minor league side again today. Williams says Werth will also get more aggressive with his hitting, which has been behind his throwing as he recovers from offseason surgery on his right shoulder.

"I'm encouraged by it, said Williams." "I'm encouraged by him feeling good to get out there and play defense, which means his throwing's good and he has no issues. Now it's a question of progressing him through the batting practice part of it and making sure he has no issues from there and then we can go."

The news is not so good for reserve outfielder Nate McLouth, who's coming off surgery on his left shoulder. McLouth's procedure took place five months before Werth's, but the surgery was far more involved.

"Nate's shoulder is still bothering him," say Williams. "This is a long rehab. He had extensive damage in the there that had to be repaired. It's bothering him to throw, so they're working through that strengthening process again. It can flare up from time to time. Given his status and what he had done, it's important for us that he's prepared when he's prepared. He's strengthening. He's doing light stuff. He's hitting light and making sure his legs continue to stay in shape."

Second baseman Yunel Escobar will make his second start of the exhibition season today after being sidelined with a Grade 1 strain of his left oblique muscle. Escobar was 1-for-2 in Monday's win over the Yankees.

"He reported today feeling really good," said Williams. "Again, the day off is probably a good thing for him. From a physical standpoint, I'm sure he would've loved to have played yesterday, given the time's had off. But no issues. He'll get five (innings) today and we'll ramp him from there."

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg threw a second bullpen session yesterday morning with no issues after spraining his left ankle last Friday in workouts. Williams expects Strasburg to rejoin the rotation and make a start later this week, most likely Saturday.

Lefty Gio Gonzalez was skipped in the rotation today so Max Scherzer could stay on schedule for his opening day start. Gonzalez will start tomorrow night's game against the Mets at 5:05 p.m. on MASN HD.

Williams would like Scherzer to go six innings today or throw around 85 pitches.