Rendon has wrist contusion, plus more injury updates

CHICAGO - When Anthony Rendon was hit by a pitch on his left hand in the top of the first Friday afternoon, the Nationals third baseman waved off a trainer and remained in the game.

Rendon played all nine innings of the Nats' 3-2 loss to the Cubs. He batted three more times, driving a ball to the warning track in left field that was caught. He made three plays in the field.

All appeared to be fine. But after the game ended, Rendon could be seen leaving the visitors' clubhouse at Wrigley Field, most likely headed for an X-ray. And though he was in the Nationals' initial lineup for this afternoon's game, he wound up getting scratched about two hours before first pitch with what club officials called a left wrist contusion.

The X-rays taken of Rendon's wrist after the game Friday were negative. But anyone who has followed the Nationals closely over the years knows initial X-rays haven't always revealed the full extent of a player's injury, so few would be shocked if it later turns out Rendon's ailment is more serious.

For now, the Nationals will try to reverse course from Friday's loss and win without their planned No. 3 hitter. Mark Reynolds will start at third base in Rendon's stead and bat sixth. Bryce Harper has been bumped up from fourth to third, with Ryan Zimmerman bumped from sixth to fourth, where he'll be asked to provide protection for Harper against a Cubs team that has exploited that scenario in recent years.

In other injury-related news ...

* Stephen Strasburg threw 64 pitches off the bullpen mound earlier this afternoon, his first such session since he landed back on the disabled list two weeks ago. Strasburg took three "inning breaks" during the session, essentially simulating a four-inning "game," and all went well, according to manager Davey Martinez.

Though Strasburg just threw something akin to a simulated game, he'll still throw an actual simulated game Wednesday in St. Louis, and then make a minor league rehab start. Martinez defended what may feel like an overly cautious plan for the right-hander, who has a pinched nerve in his neck, insisting it's necessary for both Strasburg and the team's long-term benefit.

"When we get him back, we need him back," Martinez said. "We can't have any setbacks."

* Kelvin Herrera threw today for the first time since going on the DL with right shoulder inflammation. The reliever, who had assumed closing duties with Sean Doolittle out, was hopeful that after being shut down for a few days, he'll be able to ramp his throwing back up in short order.

* Doolittle is ready to test his injured left foot out on a mound. The closer, who has now been out five weeks with a stress reaction in his foot, won't be throwing at full velocity yet. The intent now is for Doolittle to see how his foot responds to pushing off the rubber for the first time in a while.