Second base or third, it doesn't matter to Anthony Rendon in return

PITTSBURGH - This hasn't been the season Anthony Rendon expected after his breakout year in 2014. Rendon's sophomore campaign in the big leagues saw the Nationals' 2011 first round pick lead the National League in runs scored and finish tied for fifth in hits while smacking 21 homers and driving in 83 runs. The now 25-year-old's 6.5 WAR was tied for second-highest in the league, and he finished fifth in the NL MVP voting.

But, a sprained left MCL suffered on a dazzling diving stop in Rendon's second Grapefruit League game placed the young star on the disabled list to start this season. During his minor league rehab stint, Rendon suffered a left oblique strain, delaying his return even further. He eventually joined the Nationals on June 4 after missing the first 53 games of the season. Rendon batted .290 in 18 games before suffering another setback, a strained left quad that returned him to the 15-day DL on June 25.

After playing six rehab games for Single-A Potomac, the Nationals activated Rendon this afternoon. He will bat second and play second base tonight.

"I think it always feels good to get over that hump, the little speed bump there in the road," Rendon said.

With Yunel Escobar back after resting his sore left wrist for two days, Nationals manager Matt Williams has decided to play Rendon at second where he started 12 of his 18 games this season.

Rendon indicated before tonight's game that it doesn't matter to him if he's playing second or third base.

"I'm more comfortable with a bat in my hands, that's all that matters to me," Rendon said. "I just show up and wherever they want to put me, I'll go out there and do my best."

Rendon was heating up at the plate in the days before injuring his quad. He hit .533 (8-for-15) with a double and two RBIs in the final four games. Rendon's hot bat continued in his stint at Potomac, where he was 8-for-17 (.471) with two doubles and one RBI.

"I feel all right," Rendon said. "We'll see. I didn't get to face too much of hard pitching down there in high-A, but I got my timing down. I was trying just make sure I put the barrel on the ball, like I always say. It's a boring answer, but that's just my mentality. I'll see how it goes today."

Williams enjoyed adding Rendon's name to his lineup card today.

"It's more like the way we planned it," Williams said.