Trade rumors and Anthony Rendon nearing return

PITTSBURGH - With the non-waiver trade deadline exactly one week away, rumors are floating and action and is heating up. In the middle of the Nationals' 7-3 loss to the Pirates last night, MLB Network insider and FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported that two Reds scouts were in Vermont to put eyes on right-hander Erik Fedde, Washington's first-round selection in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.

Two #Reds officials are watching #Nationals Class A RHP Erick Fedde tonight in Vermont.

-- Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2015

Fedde was #Nationals' first-round draft pick in 2014, 18th overall. Nats have expressed interest in #Reds closer Aroldis Chapman.

-- Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2015

This report, of course, ramps up speculation of the Nationals' increasing interest in Reds flame-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman. Cincinnati is shopping Chapman and several other high-contract players as they continue to battle with Milwaukee for worst record in the National League Central.

The Nationals continue searching for a late-inning formula for their bullpen. Since right-hander Tyler Clippard was traded away, nobody has stepped up to claim the eighth-inning role. A trade for Chapman seemingly drops closer Drew Storen to the eighth. Obviously, that leads to concerns on how Storen would handle the transition considering he has pitched at an All-Star caliber level, saving 29 of 31 opportunities with a 1.73 ERA.

The Nationals' interest in Chapman stirs up questions on whether they trust Storen in October after his difficulties in Washington's last two postseasons.

Chapman's scorching fastball lives above 100 mph, leading to 16.1 strikeouts per nine innings, the second-highest ratio of his career. Storen possesses a stellar 10.9 mark but certainly isn't as overpowering as Chapman.

The Nationals drafted Fedde 18th overall a month after he underwent Tommy John surgery, which ended his junior season at UNLV. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Fedde throws a fastball reaching 97 mph. He is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in six starts with 31 strikeouts in 25 innings for short-season Single-A Auburn.

Anthony Rendon (left quad strain) played all nine innings at third base last night for Single-A Potomac, going 0-for-4 in a 3-1 loss to Frederick. It's the first time Rendon has completed a game during this current minor league rehab stint. Despite coming up empty at the plate yesterday, Rendon is 7-for-14 (.500) with a double and two RBIs in five rehab games over the past week. With Yunel Escobar nursing a sore left wrist and hand, it is conceivable that Rendon heads to Pittsburgh to join his teammates. The Nationals could look for the 25-year-old to play back-to-back complete games at Potomac first to make sure he comes out of it feeling 100 percent.

Ryan Zimmerman (left foot plantar fasciitis) went 0-for-3 with a strikeout while playing seven innings at first base in Double-A Harrisburg's 6-2 loss to Bowie last night. Zimmerman did get a chance to test his foot on the basepaths when he reached on an error in the sixth. Matt Skole followed with a double, advancing Zimmerman to third.