Nationals bench gets boost with Kendrick's return

NEW YORK - Howie Kendrick officially was activated off the injured list this morning, giving the Nationals the right-handed pinch-hitter they've missed for nearly 11 months.

Kendrick, who spent the last month rehabbing from a strained left hamstring suffered during spring training, already had completed his long rehab from the ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered last May. The 35-year-old utilityman's absence was noted throughout the 2018 season, and his return today is being welcomed with open arms.

"He's a huge addition to our team," manager Davey Martinez said. "Not only for what he can do on the field but what he does off the field and in the clubhouse."

A career .291 hitter across nearly 6,000 major league plate appearances, Kendrick was one of the Nationals' most productive hitters early last season, batting .303 with four homers and 14 doubles in 40 games before he went down catching a flyball in deep left field.

The Nats needed Kendrick's production on a daily basis last season while several regulars were injured and unavailable. That's not exactly the case right now, with all three of Kendrick's positions (second base, left field, first base) occupied by guys who aren't likely to be subbed out much. But Martinez intends to find ways to incorporate Kendrick, not only as a pinch-hitter but in the lineup.

"For today, he's going to come off the bench," the manager said. "But I'd like to get him a start here pretty soon, just to get him back in the field and see where he's at."

Kendrick is making his season debut without having gone on a minor league rehab assignment. But he said he played in five or six minor league spring training games at the end of camp, racked up at-bats and isn't worried about his readiness.

"I've gotten quite a few at-bats," he said. "It's not like I've been just sitting around. I was able to hit the whole time. Running was just the last thing to come."

To make room on the 25-man roster for Kendrick, infielder Jake Noll (who recorded his first career RBI yesterday with his walk-off walk to beat the Phillies) was optioned to Triple-A Fresno.