Baker and Rizzo react to trade for Kendrick; Drew sent to DL

The Nationals activated infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick and placed infielder Stephen Drew on the 10-day disabled list with a left abdominal strain, retroactive to July 26.

The team also announced they designated corner infielder Matt Skole for assignment clearing a 40-man roster spot for Kendrick.

General manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo said he had always respected the play of Kendrick and had hoped to someday add him to the club.

"It came together quickly," Rizzo said. "We had been watching him for a while, then he got hurt and kind of went off the radar. When he returned back to playing, we saw him. I always said he was a good fit for us. He strengthens our bench, strengthens our presence specifically against left-handed pitching. He's got a good split against righties and lefties, and he's always been a consummate professional defender and offensive player. He's a good fit for us."

Kendrick played only 39 games this season for the Phillies, but still hit .340. He has over 1,500 hits in his 12-year career, mostly with the Angels and Dodgers. He said being able to come to D.C. is very special, especially with Dusty Baker managing the Nationals.

"Oh yeah, being able to come to a team like the Nationals with the guys that are here," Kendrick said. "I've been a fan of Dusty's for a long time. I've always admired from afar of the way he manages and just been a fan of the Nationals too. It's really cool to come here. It's probably one of my favorite cities in the United States. I love history and I love the history that D.C. has. And to be able to come here and play for this team it's a dream come true."

Rizzo said Kendrick's versatility defensively certainly was a standout key to wanting him with the Nationals, especially with the club dealing with so many injuries all over the field.

"When everyone's healthy, which hasn't been the case very often this season, he's a big presence off the bench," Rizzo said. "We've seen him in the past play a lot of games against left-handed pitching, play a lot of games in left field. He's been a great second baseman, played a lot of games at third and at first, so he can fill in a lot of spots. As we try to reach our goals down the road, I think he'll be a good presence not only on the field, but in the clubhouse."

But did Rizzo make this move because of Jayson Werth's slow return from a broken toe?

"That wasn't the reason, but it was part of the allure of gathering a player such as Howie," Rizzo said. "It really was a guy I've liked for a long time, and a guy who really fit what we were trying to do this season."

Kendrick was all smiles as he walked into the clubhouse decked out in team workout gear, happy playing any spot on the field, as long as he can contribute to a team of the caliber of the Nationals.

"I don't know exactly what my role will be but I'm ready for whatever," Kendrick said. "I'm not going to shy away from being in a different position. That's something that I've done over the past couple of years quite a bit and you just got to take it in stride and hope for the best. I'm going to give my best shot no matter where I'm at, whether it's third, first, second and left field, I'm going to try to do my best."

Baker liked what he has seen from Kendrick over the years. He remembered trying to game plan against him in the National League Division Series last season against the Dodgers.

"He gives me a quality person, first. I heard he's a great teammate," Baker said. "Quality right-handed bat. He can hit. He can play second, left, first base a lot, he can play some third. He's played more outfield than anybody that I have available that's not a regular. He's a dangerous hitter."

Rizzo said Drew got her last week against Arizona which prompted the move today to put him on the disabled list with the left abdominal strain.

"Stephen started having issue when he dove for the ball a couple days ago, in Arizona, when he dove for that one ball," Rizzo said. "Then he went to third and I saw something. He's been feeling it."